James "Jim" R. Bradshaw, Sr.

James Robert Bradshaw Sr… known by his close family as James, and as “Jim or Jimmy” by friends and associates, was born and raised in Severn, Maryland. He had a personality larger than life. From jumping hills with dirt bikes as a kid, to lifelong passions such as family, cars, and businesses, his presence was never one that could be ignored.

Growing up he played sports, and was particularly gifted in baseball.  He figured out he could pitch with both hands when he was a young teenager, and during his teen years, actually had offers to go play professional baseball. If you know anything about Jim, you know of his passion for cars.  As a young man, he worked at gas stations and farms and did whatever he could do to make money to fix up whatever car he was driving.  his cars were always such a big part of who he was, and his personality always shined through his cars, he was always putting on new wheels or some other part to make the cars more “him”.

He met his wife Terrie at the age of 15 and they started their family in 1981, when they had their first son, Jimmy Jr.   Around the same time,  he started working for McShane Inc. and the family quickly grew with 2 more boys, Cory in 1983, and Brian in 1984. They moved to Sleepy Hollow Rd and that’s where Jim really began his legacy.  He raised his family of 3 there, continuing to  work at McShane.  

Jim always took taking care of his family very seriously.  He stayed extra hours at work, built a ramp truck to haul junk cars to the scrap yard and worked on cars in the yard  for those in the neighborhood. The man did whatever he had to to make ends meet and to provide for those he loved.  He was able to give his family the joys of ATV riding in the woods, or hooking a sled to them and going sledding in the winters. Anything his family wanted, he worked hard to provide.  Even then money was no longer tight, he worked hard for those he loved and those who needed an extra hand.   For example, every winter he would go around to the local neighborhoods and plow their driveways and sometimes the main roads for free. He actually even got an award from the county executive’s office for his kindness. His legacy continues to this day on Sleepy Hollow as neighbors continue the traditions he started.  

In 2003, his first grandchild Ashton was born. Followed closely by Alex, Brian Jr, Briana, Damien, Lacie, Kira, and Tyler.  “Poppy” as the grandkids called him, always had lollipops for the kids and spoiled them even when their parents said “No”. He was always doing goofy stuff with them, blasting songs like “It’s a Great Day to be Alive by Travis Tritt” or whatever kind of music he felt that day.  He worked equally as hard for his grandchildren as he did his children and spoiled them whenever given the chance… “No” never was said if they ever asked for anything. He loved them so much!

Jim is also survived by 3 daughters-in-law Dana ,Kristy, and Dana, who were all very young when joining the family.  He enjoyed having them around and was always ready to help them however he could. He also was open and joked around with them too and always loved the time he spent with them, truly treating them as family.  He became a second father to them all.  

Jim always found joy in cars and racing.  In 1989 his 1937 Chevy “Coupe” became a part of the family. Someone drove it into the driveway one day, and it became a “have to have” thing. So as usual, he worked hard and mustered up the $3500 to get it and purchased the car. That’s when he really “caught the bug” for cars and racing. He loved that car, and redid it a few times, each time coming up with new ideas. He started racing in the early 90’s at Capitol Raceway. He started with a 14 second car in the 1/4 mile, and improved it until it was a 9 second street car, which is how it sits now. He loved drag racing, and he was even back to back track champion at Capitol at one point.

In 2002, he started his business Bradshaw’s Rollback and Auto, a mechanic’s shop and trucking business, from an original race car shop that he turned into an automotive and towing business until 2008 where the business was moved to its current location in Millersville MD. He eventually went on to buy a second auto shop, merging it all into the original Bradshaw’s. While continuing to grow his auto business,  he took over management at Capitol Raceway in Crofton MD in 2013. It was a new adventure for him, and he was able to use his passion and “racer outlook" to manage Capitol to become one of the more respected drag strips on the East Coast. Under his tenure, it went on to hold big money bracket and grudge races.   During his reign he implemented different tactics and pay structures that brought more racers and fans into racetracks.  These tactics are still used today.  

During any given weekend, he would throw huge cookouts for the racers with Maryland style seafood that he would pay for out of his own pocket as appreciation for them coming out.  He could often be seen sitting on his scooter chatting with the racers and their families as he never met a person he couldn’t hold a conversation with.  If you knew Jim at all, you knew he loved talking and sharing his passions…sometimes a little forcefully, but always with the intent of taking care of those he loved and the people he respected.  Jim also had a great sense of humor and his laugh was contagious.  

In 2020, he moved to Florida with Terrie to help care for Terrie’s mom, Theresa’s home, and help with upkeep of the property. He often conjured up some interesting pest control tactics, such as spray painting armadillos. When he wasn’t busy with the house he could be seen at local racetracks or car shows, doing what he loved, talking about cars.  He walked the neighborhood daily and made friends everywhere he went. Jim and Terrie celebrated their 40th anniversary in Florida before his passing. He really loved the Florida atmosphere and it really gave him a new outlook on many things which he appreciated up until the day he left us. Jim was not a perfect man, but his heart was as big as his personality and zest for life.  He loved hard and if you ever needed anything he was the man to call. He will be greatly missed by all he encountered.  

Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Terri; loving sons, James R. Bradshaw Jr. and his wife, Dana, Cory D. Bradshaw and his wife, Kristy, and Brian M. Bradshaw Sr. and his wife, Dana; beloved mother, Cora L. Bradshaw and the late Franklin Bradshaw Sr.; and cherished grandchildren of Ashton, Alex, Briana, Kira, Brian Jr., Damien, Lacie and Tyler. He will also be missed by his dear siblings, Linda Abbott, Tony and Charlie Bradshaw, Franklin Bradshaw Jr. and Tammy Bradshaw; caring mother-in-law, Theresa Smith and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services, PA, 1 2nd Avenue, SW ( at Crain Highway), Glen Burnie, MD 21601 on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for a “Time of Gathering and Remembrance”. Jim’s Inurnment will be held at a later date privately. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation by visiting www.cholangiocarcinoma.org