James Bradford Spurgers

Dr. James Bradford Spurgers passed November 19, 2025, following a brief hospitalization. True to form, he was making up handshakes with the hospital staff, flirting with the nurses, and cracking jokes up until the very end.

Jim was born in Houston, Texas on April 18, 1944, to parents Knorvin and Avril Spurgers. He was later joined by sister Becky. Jim Brad, as he was known, was a graduate of Austin High School and Jackson Junior High, where he met his beautiful wife-to-be, Betty Mercer. Lucky for him, Betty agreed to be his bride and the junior high school sweethearts were wed on July 29, 1966. Jim and Betty enjoyed almost 60 years together in marriage, a testament to Jim's remarkable good fortune and Betty's eternal patience and fortitude.

Jim attended the University of Houston and the University of Texas Dental School. Following graduation, Jim served as a dentist in the United States Navy at Camp Pendleton in California. Upon returning to Houston, he started a successful practice as a family dentist and stayed in practice for 50 years. A generous and beloved boss, his annual office holiday celebrations and outings became a cherished tradition for his dental office family.

Jim and Betty were blessed with three sons, Kevin, Kyle, and Keith, one clearly the favorite and very handsome. He had a deep love for the University of Houston and all things Houston sports-related. He saw his teams win multiple championships during his life, memories he cherished till the end. Some of the best memories for all centered around Jim's love for hunting and fishing, a passion he successfully passed on to his sons through countless fishing trips to the bays of the South Texas coast and ranches of West Texas. Rockport and Port Aransas became favorite family vacation spots, visited repeatedly during myriad holiday weekends and extended summer stays. Elaborate duck hunting trips, complete with an air boat, gave way to equally elaborate quail hunting trips with an all-road ATV and small army of bird dogs. At least twice-yearly dove hunting trips to West Texas became a staple for the family and an extended group of friends. During these trips, there were many useful life lessons, including that anything tastes good if stuffed with cream cheese and jalapeno, wrapped in bacon, and put on the grill.

Jim Brad was a loving grandfather, known affectionately as Pops, who enjoyed attending sports and school events for his grandchildren, and hearing about all of their escapades. He will be remembered by all for his great sense of humor, especially the waitstaff at his favorite Mexican restaurants, where he never failed to inquire how the hamburgers were. His stories were legendary, and repeated often, but were always guaranteed to get a laugh out of you.

Jim is survived by his wife Betty; sons Kevin (Jennifer), Kyle, and Keith (Kori), sister Becky Holt (Fred), his beloved grandchildren Bella, James, Finn, Grace, Everett, and Ava, step-grandchildren Devin and Brandon Villanueva, step-great-grandson Glendon Villanueva, and many nieces and nephews.

Jim will be celebrated during a service at the Lanier Theological Library (14130 Hargrave Rd, Houston, TX 77070) at 3:30 pm on Monday November 24, 2025. A reception will follow at a nearby restaurant.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Bradford Spurgers, please visit our flower store.