88S30915 CW-D
By: Meyer H.R. No. 76
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of a renowned Dallas photographer drew to a
close with the passing of James T. Bradley on October 13, 2023, at
the age of 101; and
WHEREAS, "Brad" Bradley was born to Mabel and Dennis Bradley
on July 23, 1922, and he grew up on a cotton farm near Arlington;
after studying business at North Texas Agricultural College, he
served as a technical sergeant with the U.S. Army Air Corps in
Okinawa, Japan, during World War II; in 1946, he exchanged vows with
the former Betty Laughead; they shared 64 years together before her
death in 2010 and raised two children, Iris and James; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley opened Laughead Photography in
Dallas, and in 1948 Mr. Bradley photographed the Cotton Bowl
matchup between Southern Methodist and Penn State Universities;
that experience began his long-lasting relationship with the bowl
game and SMU, and he also worked with college football programs
nationwide and at the NFL level; he and his father-in-law, Jim
Laughead, traveled together, documenting games and athletes and
pioneering the "Huck 'n Buck" posed action shot that became a staple
of football photography; over a career of 75-plus years, he
captured such college and professional luminaries as Doak Walker,
Earl Campbell, Roger Staubach, Dick Butkus, and Joe Montana, and he
also produced images for Topps baseball cards; and
WHEREAS, Widely respected, Mr. Bradley was inducted into the
Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame, received the SMU Athletics Hall of
Fame Legends Award, and garnered the 2023 Governor's Award for
Lifetime Achievement by the Lone Star chapter of the Regional EMMY
Awards; moreover, he was honored as the 2019 Citizen of the Year in
the Park Cities community, where he resided; and
WHEREAS, Admired for his immense talent and his kind and
generous nature, "Brad" Bradley chronicled countless events at SMU
as well as sports figures and competitions throughout the U.S., and
in so doing, he created a rich and compelling visual record that
will endure for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
of James T. Bradley and extend deepest condolences to the members of
his family: to his children, Iris L. Bradley and her husband, Floyd,
and James T. "Jimmy" Bradley II; to his granddaughter, Susan
Gleiser; to his nieces and nephews; and to all who mourn his
passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Brad
Bradley.