Jack David Brady
Jack David Brady of Visalia died Jan. 10. He was 73.
Brady was born Jan. 3, 1943 in Visalia, California, to John and Mildred Brady. He graduated from Redwood High School and in 1964, graduated from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s in chemistry. He worked for Hughes Aircraft and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory during the age of atomic testing and later in life enjoyed telling stories of his involvement with bomb tests in the desert. In 1967, while at Livermore, he was part of a team that discovered the world's heaviest atom, Mendelevium 258.
After a brief time with Occidental Petroleum as head of their research labs, he left to start his own business, Pacific Technical Services, with partner Karl Legatski. The company was purchased in 1971 by FMC Corp. after only eight months and became the pollution control division of the company. In 1975 he left FMC to become president of Andersen 2000, Inc. in Georgia. Later, when Crown Andersen, Inc. was formed, he served as chairman and CEO. During his career he held numerous patents for air pollution control and hazardous waste incineration designs. His expertise was highly sought after in these fields and he continued to consult even in retirement for companies and governments all over the globe.
During the 125th anniversary of San Jose State University in 1983, Brady was the first science department graduate ever honored as a Distinguished Alumnus and a charter member of the Society of Archimedes, devoted to scientific endeavor and understanding in our culture. In 2014, he was honored for 50 years of service by the American Chemical Society.
Brady was an avid traveler, one of Delta Airlines' few 3-million milers. He and his wife Merrilyn enjoyed seeing the sights around Europe, the Caribbean and Fiji. They also relished water activities and the outdoors, visiting National Parks, the California Coast and places in between.
After retirement he was also able to focus on restoring classic vehicles and was widely known as the man who could fix almost anything by hand, a true Jack-of-all-trades.
Jack enjoyed spending time with his wife, grandchildren and friends. He is survived by his wife Merrilyn Adele (Maurer) Brady of Visalia; sons Kenneth (Kristie) Brady of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and Keith (Laura) Brady of El Dorado Hills, California; stepson David (Stephanie) Maurer of Exeter, California; stepdaughter Julie (Eric) Carlson of San Rafael, California; sister Jean Rivers of Yuma, Arizona; brothers Carl (Dorothea) Brady of Omaha, Nebraska and Jim (Elaine) Brady of Ivanhoe, California; grandchildren Megan Brady, Ellie Brady, Ethan Brady, Alyssa Brady and four step-grandchildren Bryce Maurer, Jake Maurer, Leif Carlson, and Anders Carlson.
A memorial service was recently held at the Exeter Historical Museum in Exeter, California.
Memorial donations were made (In memory of Jack Brady) to the Kaweah Delta "Open Arms Hospice House" project c/o the Kaweah Delta Hospice Foundation, a local charity with which the family is actively involved.
