HAINES CITY -- Mr. Elijah P. "Jimmie" Braddock played fast-pitch softball for a number of years, as well as coached and umpired a men's league and Little League baseball.

"I teased them. I would tell people that on Monday night, he umpired for Little League, Tuesday night, he umpired for men's softball, Wednesday night, we went to church, on Thursday night, he umpired Little League, and Friday night, he played for the men. We had Saturday and Sunday night, but we were too tired to do anything, and of course we went to church Sunday night," his wife of 63 years, Louise Braddock, said.

The retired painter for the Florida Department of Transportation died of heart failure Thursday (Dec. 8, 2005) in Davenport. He was 86.

Born in Donaldsonville, Ga., on March 1, 1919, he and his wife married in April of 1942. Shortly after, Mr. Braddock served in the Army in World War II. Following his discharge in 1946, the couple came to Polk County.

He worked for the Department of Transportation for the state of Florida after 13 years before he retired as a painter.

A day at the ballpark watching Mr. Braddock play softball became somewhat of a family outing and influenced all of Mr. Braddock's children to play Little League when they became old enough.

"They used to load us up as kids and fill the number two washtub with bottled drinks and ice, and that was always a treat for us," his son, Max Braddock of Lakeland, said.

As an avid fisherman, Mr. Braddock's wife and children shared his enthusiasm for the sport. He preferred fishing for speckled perch, blue gill, and shellcracker, and he never had any problem catching his limit, Max Braddock said.

He was a member of the Church of God in Davenport.

In addition to his wife, Louise Braddock, and son, Max Braddock, Mr. Braddock is survived by his son, Mike Braddock, Winter Haven; daughter, Cheryl Stone, Davenport; sister, Juanita Chambliss, Lake Wales; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City. Graveside services will follow at 11 a.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery in Haines City.