RIP Jim Brewer

Gentleman Jim Brewer, a retired boxer and actor, died Thursday, June 15th, after a rough spell of bad health. Jim was sure-enough Old Austin. He grew up in the Rosedale neighborhood and was a member of McCallum High School's first graduating class. After a successful local boxing career under the tutelage of Pat O'Grady (who later relocated to Oklahoma City and guided his son, Sean, to a world championship), Jim was cast in John Wayne's production of THE ALAMO. This turn of good fortune allowed Jim to develop an acting career that lasted until his health began to decline. He starred in MISSION TO DEATH, which some would claim to be the first independent feature film shot in Austin. But mostly he worked as a supporting actor and had scenes with the likes of Marlon Brando, Robert Mitchum, and George C. Scott, among many others. Jim is known for None but the Brave (1966), The Formula (1980) and AB-Negative (2006). He worked in TV as well, including a memorable guest slot on an episode of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. Jim lived mostly in L.A. and was President/Owner of the manufacturing company, Techmar Enclosures, Inc. along with his successful acting career. Jim would always spend a couple of months a year back in Austin, where he'd tool around in his 1965 sky-blue Mustang, which he'd purchased years ago from his actress friend, Karen Valentine (ROOM 222 etc). He was a regular at Dirty Martin's (where there's sort of a shrine to him in one corner of the dining room), Dry Creek Saloon, El Patio, and Avenue B Grocery, as well as at Upper Crust Bakery. He didn't stop training until the last year, and he'd work the heavy bags at R Lord's Boxing Gym like an up-and-coming welterweight whenever he was in town. Every year he hosted an "anniversary of his 70th birthday" dinner at Matt's El Rancho to which he would invite a host of friends including lifelong school friends, surviving Austin boxers from the 1950s and '60s, and his Austin theater group.

Jim was born in Midland, Texas on January 8th, 1937 as James Cleveland Brewer III. Jim is survived by his younger brother Robert Brewer of Lockhart, TX, his niece Breanna and her son Zayden. He was preceded in death by his beloved Mother and biggest fan, Pat Anderson, and will be laid to rest alongside her at Austin Memorial Park. Jim was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Visitation hours from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday June 20th at Weed-Corley-Fish on North Lamar.
A celebration of Jim's life will be held Wednesday June 21st from 7pm to 9pm at Dirty Martin's on Guadalupe.