James DeWitt “Jay” Bramlette III, 74, of Cuero passed away peacefully at his home on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. Jay, son of the late J.D. Bramlette Jr. and Merle Rose Fischer Bramlette, was born March 27, 1951, in San Antonio. After graduating from Cuero High School, he attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville. On his drive home from school in the Spring of 1971, Jay made the decision to go to mortuary school. He attended Commonwealth College of Sciences that fall and graduated as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Jay owned Freund Funeral Home in Cuero until his retirement in 2010. Jay married Cheryl Roth Bramlette on July 3, 1986, in Cuero. They were members of First Presbyterian Church where Jay served as a Deacon for many years.
A dedicated member of the DeWitt County community, Jay served on many boards, including the DeWitt Medical Foundation, Cuero Education Foundation, and Texas Farm Bureau. He was President of the Cuero Chamber of Commerce in 1975 and also served as president and race team member of Cuero Turkeyfest from 1994-1995. Additionally, Jay was a member of the Cuero Community Hospital Board of Directors for seven years, serving as Chairman from 1997-2000. He was involved in several organizations, including the Cuero Lions Club, Cuero Gobblers All Sports Booster Club, Houston Area Go Texan, Grand Lodge of the Sons of Hermann, TPA, National Texas Funeral Directors Association, and Texas Funeral Directors Association. He also founded three stock show syndicates: Top Bidders, Friends of the Gobblers, and Building Supporters.
His dedication to volunteerism and service earned him the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas Community Builders Award from the Cuero Masonic Lodge #409 AF & AM, the Cuero Livestock Show Award, his 50-year pin with Lions Club, and his 50-year pin with the Texas Funeral Director Association. His love for football while attending college led to his induction into the Football Hall of Fame Texas A&I Javelinas Kingsville.
Jay was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, and golf. He loved his family and took great pride in cheering on his grandchildren under the Friday Night Lights or on the court.
Jay is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Cheryl Bramlette of Cuero; daughters, Avis Lynn “Lynnie” Jalufka and husband, Gabe, of Goldthwaite, Amanda Rose Rickman and husband, Clayton, of Cuero, and Alexis Ann Cooper and husband, Justin, of Cuero; son, Lovel A. “Buck” Blain IV of Cuero; sister, Lou Mitchell “Lucy” Egg; grandchildren, Avis Gabrielle Montgomery and husband, Matthew, David Utah Jalufka, Rancher DeWitt Jalufka, Ashtyn Rose Draper, Hunton Callon Rickman, Daizy Ray Rickman, Jaydie Blain Cooper, Cash Cleo Cooper, Hope Ann Cooper, Grace Ann Cooper, Justin Braylon Blain, and Alexandra Jessica Blain; and great-grandson, Judah William Montgomery. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Jay’s warmth, generosity, and commitment to his community will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation will begin at 1 pm on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Freund Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 3 pm with Pastor Kevin Boyd of First Presbyterian Church, Cuero and Rev. Marcellus Wesley of New Hope Baptist Church officiating. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Utah Jalufka, Rancher Jalufka, Cash Cooper, Hunton Rickman, Justin Blain, Gabe Jalufka, Clayton Rickman, and Justin Cooper.
Honorary pallbearers include his granddaughters, Allie Blain, Gabrielle Montgomery, Ashtyn Draper, Jaydie Cooper, Hope Cooper, Grace Cooper, and Daizy Rickman.
Memorial contributions may be made to DeWitt Medical Foundation or First Presbyterian Church, Cuero.