Otis James Bradley Jr., husband, father, son, friend, favorite cousin, avid swimmer, wore a suit like nobody's business, and had the best dance moves for at least the past forty years, died on January 21, 2022.

There is actual recorded footage of Otis dancing on his mom's front porch in the late nineties, post-family barbecue to all of the popular songs at the time for at least an hour straight. No kidding, he had on his signature Tommy Bahama Panama tan chapeau, a blue short set, fresh white sneakers (his go-to shoe) and he danced…for an entire mixed tape. So maybe you think you can dance. You likely have nothing on the REAL Juice Man.

Otis "Butch" was the oldest of eleven so he really had no choice but to stand out lest he get lost in his parent's near basketball team. Born in New Orleans, he inherited his suave good looks from his father Otis James Bradley Sr. (deceased), and his kind heart from his mother Doris Bradley, still quietly presiding over her family in Pass Christian, MS. He spent a lot of time with his siblings who lived nearby,  Gaynell Bradley, Karon (Linda) Bradley, Mary Robinson, Kirk Bradley all of Pass Christian MS, and Wayne (Debra) Bradley of Gulfport, MS. He treasured holidays and visits from his siblings Eric (Dina) Bradley of Katy, TX, Selinda Bradley, Joy (David) Walker, Bruce (Cheryl) Bradley all of Jacksonville, FL. He kept his brother George Bradley (deceased) in his fondest memories.

He decided that he did not want a career as an in-home baby sitter so he joined the armed forces after graduating from Pass Christian High School in 1969. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1970. After serving his country and retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1991, he went on to be the embodiment of work ethic by working another twenty-two years for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs where he retired again in 2014.

While stationed near Miami at Homestead Air Force Base in the 70's he met a groovy, beautiful city girl, Annie, who had an afro, and a killer smile. After wooing her with his country-boy cool, stolid, stoicism and the melodious tone of his baritone singing voice they went on to start a family, and a life together that would span forty-seven years.

Otis loved his kids. He loved watching his children build families of their own and surround him in grandkids. His sons Deon (Waleska) of Miami, FL and Dywayne of Gulfport, MS became more than sons as his confidantes, caretakers, and friends. Collectively they have a memory bank of childhood shenanigans, lessons, and love. He named his youngest son Eric (deceased) after his brother. Eric, his cool, carbon copy gave him a run for his money from childhood to adulthood and always kept him laughing. He was especially sweet on his only daughter, Netalia (Ricardo) Bradley-Anderson of The Woodlands, TX who decided to marry a man just like him….including the goatee and penchant for being a social butterfly.

Otis was the type of grandfather who would slide you some dough every time you saw him. He had a huge smile readily available, and when grandma said no would deliberately say yes. Despite his children's protests he bought the grandkids the loud toys, the overpriced game systems, the markers that didn't wash out of fabric, the playdough that cemented to carpet, the gum that ended up in hair, and the fifty-hundredth baby doll….just because that was what the grandkids wanted. He loved those grandbabies more than anything, in order of appearance: Taj, Damelia, Ahmad (deceased), Naj, Julian, Natalye, Eric Jr. (deceased), Dywayne Jr., Haleigh, Jada, and Krystal.

The only thing that outmatched his fondest for dancing and his wife's cooking was his love of people. He genuinely cared about taking care of his friends, extended family, and being present. He had a lifetime of attending jazz festivals, concerts, birthday parties, graduations, dance recitals, could always be seen on the dance floor at the Pecan Grove, or a family gathering. He was truly the life of the party. Mardi Gras and family reunions will never be the same.

Otis did not leave behind a feeling of a regret for a life unlived. He lived every day as if it was his last. Even as his heath declined and he could no longer hang with his fellas, have a beer, watch a game, shoot the breeze under an oak tree, see the likes of Janet Jackson, or Toni Braxton dancing on some music show in a leotard…his spirit only waned a little. He still had a ready smile, a hearty laugh with his bombastic voice, and some sincere words of wisdom.

What he does leave behind are more friends than anyone of us could possibly count and a family that will miss him every day for the rest of their lives. In lieu of sadness, the family asks that you instead make time during this lifetime to have a lot of fun, laugh when it is funny, love on your people, give smiles, and most of all they hope you dance.