Allen Brady

Reverend Allen W. Brady, former pastor of the First Christian Church in Cleburne, passed away December 5, 2007 at this new residence, 1108 Williams, Apt. A in Cleburne, formerly of 9004 Adobe Ct., Alvarado. Brady has been officially retired since finishing up his service of two pastorates in Healdton and Hugo Oklahoma in 2003. Brady also lived and taught school in Rio Vista, TX. Knowing a little Spanish he was the Spanish teacher for 30 days filling in for a sick teacher. He also helped the Math teacher as an aide. Brady served The Little Chapel By The Lake in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico for several years in the late 1990's. A non-denominational Chapel, it mainly servedthe English speaking community of mostly American and Canadian retirees.
As a young vet of World War II Brady received his B.F.A. from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. June 1950. He met his wife, Maryjane at Bradley. She was a Freshman. In 1952 he was awarded a direct commission in the Air Force and served at Kimpo Air Force base near Seoul, Korea. He won a battlefield promotion to First Lieutenant.
While a young executive for State Farm insurance, Brady was called very dramatically out of the business world at age 30. He had always appreciated good preaching and vowed when he went to seminary to become the best preacher he could be.Reverend Brady received his Master of Divinity from the seminary at Texas Christian University in 1963. During his student days he served several Fort Worth churches including East Annie Christian Church. He was ordained at the University Christian Church with Granville Walker officiating.While studying the sermons of Peter Marshall, Harry Emerson Fosdick, Norman Vincent Peale and Carlyle Marney, Brady realized his calling was to the unchurched, the doubting Thomas. He was very popular with the men who had thought church was only for women and children. Brady reminded young preachers about the macho bunch that Jesus chose to gather around himself. Brady taught preaching at the American Christian College and Seminary in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Studying the life of Jesus, Brady was reminded how Jesus always used everyday things to illustrate his spiritual point: a coin, a seed, a lost lamb. During his pastorate near Guadalajara, a lady told her friend, "I'm really tired of hearing about the Dallas Cowboys in his sermons." She was a Steeler fan.While in Healdton Brady preached on Ardmore's KVSO sports station each Sunday morning during the summer months.
A memorial service is planned for 11:00 AM on January 19, 2008 at the Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home. All those who remember Reverend Brady are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a gift be given to the First Christian Church in memory of Reverend Brady.Brady leaves his wife, Maryjane Bonifield Brady of Cleburne; son, Scott Allen Brady and wife Robin of Meredian; daughters, Anne Hettick and husband Roger of Correon, N.M and Colleen Yinger and husband Lynn of Azle, TX; sister, Myrtle Brady of Springfield, IL; grandchildren, Marc Ahlen, Heike Wright, Matthew Brady, Caroline Brady, Shane Yinger and Seth Yinger; two great-grandchildren, Colin Ahlen and Paige Ahlen and nephew, John Levalley of Austin. He was preceded in death by his sister, Alyce Levalley.

Service

Crosier-Pearson Cleburne
Memorial Service
512 North Ridgeway Dr.
Cleburne, TX 76033
Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008
11:00 a.m.
Map to Service Location