Monroe James ‘Jim” Bragg, a founder of several California construction companies and industry trade associations, died on 1 December 1, 2000 in Long Beach of a heart attack. He was 84.

Jim was raised in Russellville, Arkansas where in 1934 he married Sue Pennington. The young couple moved west to California during the Dustbowl days. Jim worked picking fruit, then as a driver for the Belya Trucking. Within 10 years he bought his first crane and formed his own business, Bragg Crane Service, in February 1946.

This business has been growing for more than 55 years, driven first by Jim Bragg directly and then by his business philosophies as carried out by sons George and Steve Bragg and daughter Mary Ann Pool. This beginning has grown into Bragg Investment Company, Inc. which consists of several companies located in the western states, including: – Bragg Crane Service, with branches in Long Beach, San Diego, Anaheim, Richmond, Sacramento, Fontana and Reno – Bragg Crane & Rigging Co; Long Beach, Bakersfield, Sacramento and Richmond – Heavy Transport, Inc; Long Beach, Richmond and San Diego – Coastline Equipment; Long Beach, Laguna Hills, Sylmar, Oxnard, Santa Maria, Bakersfield, and Lancaster – American Plant Services; Long Beach and Martinez – Bragg Crane/Western Rigging; Reno, Nevada – Bay Cities Crane and Rigging Co.; Richmond and Sacramento.

Over the decades, Bragg was an enthusiastic member of many industry associations. He was a founder of the Mobile Crane Operators Association and a long-time leader in the California Trucking Association. He was a founder member of the Excavating & Grading Contractors Association and its successor, the Southern California Contractors Association. Jim Bragg was also active with the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association for many years.

He is survived by his children, Mary Ann Pool, George and Steve Bragg, as well as five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

The family requests donations may be made to the M.J. Bragg Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o SCCA, 6055 E. Washington Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90040 or the SC&RA Foundation, in Honour of Jim Bragg, 2750 Prosperity Ave., Suite 620, Fairfax, VA 22031-4312.