T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
adults as a businessperson at 14 years old. I still remember all the individuals on that route and all they did for me. There were so many special people, like Mrs. Pavey, over on Meadow Lane. She always made sure I got a Christmas gift every year.” “A great thing about living in Texarkana is that many of the individuals who were my customers back then are still my customers today. That is over 50 years. There are several individuals who were influential in my life, and I met many of them while being their paper boy.” Bramlett graduated from Texas High School in 1975, and met his wife, Kathy, a few years later. “There are so many individuals who have made such a difference in my life, and one is my wife, Kathy,” Bramlett said with a grin. “We’ve been married for 44 years. I have to give her credit; I would not be where I am today without her. I asked her to marry me at Spring Lake Park, just another thing I love about this community.” “After I got married at 20, I decided it was time to go to college. I went to Texarkana College for four years and then took seven years off. When I was 32, I decided to go back to school and went to Texas A&M University-Texarkana. Dr. Lila Walker, who is another of the individuals I credit with who I am today, encouraged me to go back to school. I graduated in December 2000 with a BAAS (Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences) degree. It was a long road of working and raising our son, J.W. I had to make sure I graduated college before he started going to college!” While Bramlett pursued an education and was raising a family, he got involved helping one of his best friends, John Jarvis, run for mayor. Previously, Bramlett had never had a desire to hold a public office. After years of being friends with Jarvis, it sparked an interest in serving the community, and he ran for city council. “In 1998, John (Jarvis) decided it was time for him to go home, and he told someone I was going to run for mayor. He told the Texarkana Gazette that before he even told me!” Bramlett chuckled. “I served as Mayor of Texarkana, Texas, for ten years (1998-2008).” During his decade of service, Bramlett is most proud of helping bring the new
James Bramlett in 1998 seeking his first term as Mayor of Texarkana, Texas.
2013 City of Texarkana, Texas Council Meeting celebrating previous mayors’ service to the community. (L-R) (Back) Josh Davis, Judge Bill Miller, Dr. Brian Matthews, Tina Veal Gooch, Willie Ray and Bradford Casteel. (Front) Mayor Bob Bruggeman (2012-current), Steve Mayo (2008-2012), James Bramlett (1998-2008), John Jarvis (1990-1998), Joe Frost (1986-1990), the late Neal Courtney (1964-1968), the late A.P. Miller (1954-1960).
Texas A&M University-Texarkana campus to its current Bringle Lake location, and for helping allocate millions of dollars to the redevelopment of the Rose Hill Community, the area where he grew up with his parents and grandparents. “To be able to redevelop Rose Hill was really neat, especially to do something south of the Interstate. Most of the development has been to the north, so we were most proud of the fact that we were investing millions and millions of dollars south of the interstate for the first time since the mid- 1960s,” beamed Bramlett. “I miss being mayor because of the people. We have such a giving community, and everyone gives back to make sure
Texarkana is the greatest place in the country. There is nowhere else I’d rather live. That’s why I continue to help however I can to make this community a great place to live, work and raise a family. Kids go off to college, but it is those individuals we want to move back here because they are going to take our place one day. I appreciate everyone who has ever given me and the community the support they have because we continue to grow and develop and get better each and every day.” Bramlett has done his fair share of giving back, both professionally and as a volunteer. One of his passions is helping those in need through the annual Bramlett Beans and Cornbread Community Fundraiser.
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C OMM U N I T Y & C U L T U R E
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