Obituary for Russell Allen Bradford
Russell Allen Bradford went to his heavenly home on Thursday, January 20, 2022, and to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after living a long, exciting and rewarding life.
Russell was born in Chandler, Texas February 2, 1923, to Docia Lauretta Hughes Bradford and James Arthur Bradford. He was the youngest of four children and had one sister and two brothers. Russell spent most of his life in Chandler and graduated from high school there. After graduation from high school, Russell joined the U.S. Navy and spent four years stationed in San Diego aboard a repair ship as a welder. On December 7, 1945, he married Geraldine Gibbs from Athens, Texas and they moved to San Diego where they lived until he was discharged from the Navy. Upon leaving the Navy, he and his bride moved to San Antonio, Texas where they lived and raised their four daughters, Beverly, Lynda, Gayle and M’Lissa.
While living in San Antonio, Russell was a member of the Patterson Masonic Lodge where he attained the highest honor of Worshipful Master and he was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Shriners. As well as a Mason and Shriner, Russell was a member of the Star Chapter of the Eastern Star in San Antonio and was Worthy Patron when his wife was Worthy Matron. These fraternal organizations were a big part of their lives.
Another big part of Russell’s life was his Christian faith. He was a long-time member of Baptist Temple Church and Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio. Then the Bradford’s were members of the First United Methodist Church in Chandler, Texas.
Russell worked in a gas station as his first job after the Navy. He worked hard and then met the man who would help start his career. He became a welder for the Browning Manufacturing Company. He then met Mr. Ingram, owner of Aggregate Plant Products Company, who was impressed by Russell and brought him into APPCO as a welder. Russell then was promoted to supervisor of the floor of the shop. As the years passed, Russell proved himself and was elevated to Vice President of the APPCO plant and he worked there until he retired at age 62 in 1985. Then began the airstream life. He and his wife bought the first of four airstreams and traveled all over the country except Alaska. The Bradford’s were very active members of the Wally Bynum Airstream group. Russell was the president of the club at one point and Gerry was the first lady. They had great times and developed many long-time friendships.
An avid fisherman, Russell also hosted many fish fries at their home in San Antonio and on their travels.
When the traveling days were over, the Bradford’s moved back to their East Texas Roots and lived in Chandler for 13 years. In 2017 the Bradford’s moved to Waco and were residents of the Heartis Assisted Living community. Russell’s love of his life for 73 years went to her eternal home in 2018 and Russell moved to the home of his daughter Gayle where he spent almost three years and where he left this earth.
Everyone who knew Russell loved his wit, his loyalty, his love of life, his honesty, his adventurous spirit, his stories and his love of his family. He loved to fish, listen to Bob Wills, travel, watch football, eat good Mexican food and fried catfish and be with family and friends.
Russell was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, his parents, his sister, Loise Estine Bradford Cason, brothers, Herman Durward Bradford and James Thomas Bradford, Son-in-law Ron Plackemeier and nephew Larry Wayne Cason.
Russell is survived by his daughters, Beverly Ann Bradford Deaton and husband Dr. Tom Deaton of Commerce, Texas, Lynda Ruth Bradford May and husband Dr. David May of Abilene, Texas, Patricia Gayle Bradford Plackemeier of Giddings, Texas, and M’Lissa Jayne Bradford Howen and husband Steve Howen of Waco, Texas. Also surviving Russell are 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and Elvis the loyal Maltese canine.
We, the family of Russell Allen Bradford, would like to convey our deepest appreciation to Hospice Brazos Valley for their concern, professionalism and unending compassion in caring for our father over the last several months.
Graveside services and visitation for Russell will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Chandler Memorial Cemetery, 620 Old Tyler Road, Chandler, Henderson County, Texas.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Chandler Memorial Funeral Home family.
Russell was born in Chandler, Texas February 2, 1923, to Docia Lauretta Hughes Bradford and James Arthur Bradford. He was the youngest of four children and had one sister and two brothers. Russell spent most of his life in Chandler and graduated from high school there. After graduation from high school, Russell joined the U.S. Navy and spent four years stationed in San Diego aboard a repair ship as a welder. On December 7, 1945, he married Geraldine Gibbs from Athens, Texas and they moved to San Diego where they lived until he was discharged from the Navy. Upon leaving the Navy, he and his bride moved to San Antonio, Texas where they lived and raised their four daughters, Beverly, Lynda, Gayle and M’Lissa.
While living in San Antonio, Russell was a member of the Patterson Masonic Lodge where he attained the highest honor of Worshipful Master and he was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Shriners. As well as a Mason and Shriner, Russell was a member of the Star Chapter of the Eastern Star in San Antonio and was Worthy Patron when his wife was Worthy Matron. These fraternal organizations were a big part of their lives.
Another big part of Russell’s life was his Christian faith. He was a long-time member of Baptist Temple Church and Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio. Then the Bradford’s were members of the First United Methodist Church in Chandler, Texas.
Russell worked in a gas station as his first job after the Navy. He worked hard and then met the man who would help start his career. He became a welder for the Browning Manufacturing Company. He then met Mr. Ingram, owner of Aggregate Plant Products Company, who was impressed by Russell and brought him into APPCO as a welder. Russell then was promoted to supervisor of the floor of the shop. As the years passed, Russell proved himself and was elevated to Vice President of the APPCO plant and he worked there until he retired at age 62 in 1985. Then began the airstream life. He and his wife bought the first of four airstreams and traveled all over the country except Alaska. The Bradford’s were very active members of the Wally Bynum Airstream group. Russell was the president of the club at one point and Gerry was the first lady. They had great times and developed many long-time friendships.
An avid fisherman, Russell also hosted many fish fries at their home in San Antonio and on their travels.
When the traveling days were over, the Bradford’s moved back to their East Texas Roots and lived in Chandler for 13 years. In 2017 the Bradford’s moved to Waco and were residents of the Heartis Assisted Living community. Russell’s love of his life for 73 years went to her eternal home in 2018 and Russell moved to the home of his daughter Gayle where he spent almost three years and where he left this earth.
Everyone who knew Russell loved his wit, his loyalty, his love of life, his honesty, his adventurous spirit, his stories and his love of his family. He loved to fish, listen to Bob Wills, travel, watch football, eat good Mexican food and fried catfish and be with family and friends.
Russell was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, his parents, his sister, Loise Estine Bradford Cason, brothers, Herman Durward Bradford and James Thomas Bradford, Son-in-law Ron Plackemeier and nephew Larry Wayne Cason.
Russell is survived by his daughters, Beverly Ann Bradford Deaton and husband Dr. Tom Deaton of Commerce, Texas, Lynda Ruth Bradford May and husband Dr. David May of Abilene, Texas, Patricia Gayle Bradford Plackemeier of Giddings, Texas, and M’Lissa Jayne Bradford Howen and husband Steve Howen of Waco, Texas. Also surviving Russell are 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and Elvis the loyal Maltese canine.
We, the family of Russell Allen Bradford, would like to convey our deepest appreciation to Hospice Brazos Valley for their concern, professionalism and unending compassion in caring for our father over the last several months.
Graveside services and visitation for Russell will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Chandler Memorial Cemetery, 620 Old Tyler Road, Chandler, Henderson County, Texas.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Chandler Memorial Funeral Home family.