Jimbo Stockton remembers his friend, Tim Bradford

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As prominent real estate developers of Ponte Vedra Beach, the Stockton family has been frequently featured in the Ponte Vedra Recorder through the years.

Telfair Stockton was an early developer of Jacksonville in the later part of the 1800s. His son, James, developed Ponte Vedra Beach as it transitioned from a mining operation called Mineral City to the seaside haven it is today. James “Jimmy” Stockton Jr. developed Sawgrass Country Club in the early 1970s.

And Jimmy Stockton’s son, James Stockton III, who everyone calls “Jimbo,” grew up as a friend to Tim Bradford, whose mother, Peg Bradford, co-founded the Recorder.

Tim Bradford ran the paper for many years, until his death in 1997.

And Jimbo Stockton helped celebrate the paper’s 50th anniversary Oct. 23 at its birthday party.

“I remember the Recorder from the beginning,” Jimbo Stockton said. “I grew up with Tim. He was in my wedding. He was a significant pillar in our community. He absolutely loved this community. He was there for everybody.”

Tim’s death was a “significant loss” for the community, Jimbo Stockton said. But he said Tim Bradford did leave his lifelong pal a lasting legacy--his nickname.

“He kept putting me in the paper as Jimbo,” he said. So Jimbo he has remained.