of Mayflower, AR
August 5, 1933 - October 9, 2020
Jerry Bradford slipped away from us in the quiet of the night Friday, October 9, 2020 after a lengthy illness. We like to think he is on a trail ride somewhere enjoying the beauty of the season!
Jerry was a husband, a step father, a surrogate father, an uncle, a Marine, a veteran and a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was a mentor to many. He was a teacher, a friend, a neighbor, a cattleman, and a farmer. He had a full life. He loved family and friends, and his many animals. He loved learning, teaching, and sharing with others.
Jerry met Sarah when he was recuperating from surgery, and was confined to the house which he hated. He had home health services which included nursing care. There was one particular nurse who caught his eye. He initially said she was a "Bossy Ole' Heifer" who was always lecturing him and telling him what to do. Before long, he decided she was not the bossy ole' heifer after all, they became friends, dated, and eventually married. Family knew this was to be serious because Jerry gave up his Copenhagen cold turkey! They have been married twenty-one years.
Jerry's niece, Sheila Mowrer has been his hand right man for seventy-five years. Jerry was twelve years old when Sheila was born, and he became Sheila's baby sitter because her mom worked. Sheila and Jerry have been there for each other for seventy-five years.
Jerry often said he didn't have children but has been blessed with step-children Ben and Jennifer, step-grandchildren, Jackson and Gracie who dearly loved their pop Bradford, nieces Sheila, Leanne, Therese, Natalie, Penni Layne, Dorothy, Bethany and Bella. His nephews include Charles, Jack and his sons, Jerry, Dee, Johnny, Jimmy and Penni and Therese's boys. They were a joy to him. He also enjoyed teaching children and had kept in touch with many of his students from Conway High School who became friends as adults.
Jerry has neighbors who have been great friends for years: Billy Wayne McCaghren and Tim Raney. Jerry wanted to remind Billy Wayne that he and Billy's dad made a promise to each other that they would never cut the beautiful persimmon tree between their properties. Jerry wanted to remind Tim to please look out for Sarah and Sheila and please help with things they cannot do.
Jerry wanted to tell Dr. David and Nina Baker how thankful he was to turn over to them the farm that he spent a life time developing.
Jerry wanted to remind his nieces to remember and share why the geese fly South in November! He wanted to tell his nephews he is so proud of what they have become. He wanted to apologize to Dee for instilling in him such a serious work ethic, and remind him to slow down and enjoy life more.
To all, Jerry wanted to remind everyone to listen to the frogs croak down on the pond come early February. Listen for the whippoorwills in early May. Listen for the geese flying South in November, listen for the roosters to crow near midnight on Christmas Eve. He will be listening.
Sign Guestbook
37 Condolence(s)
Michael Smith
Thursday, November 26, 2020
See you @ Fiddlers Green my brother.
frm. Sgt. Michael R. Smith
US ARMY ARMORED CAVALRY
Julie Hill
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Mr. Bradford was a favorite of many CHS students. He was a positive and happy teacher. I always felt he really cared about his students. I’m sad he’s gone.
Jim brown
Friday, October 16, 2020
I first came to Conway I taught next to him !!! He taught me to be kind to all kids no matter how they treat you
John Mowrer
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Rest Easy Uncle Jay! See you on the other side!
Melissa Hoyt Dyer
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. Bradford. He was such a soft spoken man and I always enjoyed him as a teacher. Sending my condolences to the family during this difficult time.
Sharon Parker
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
I didn't meet Jerry until later in life when he married you, Sarah. He was always so kind and I enjoyed visited with him at the many birthday parties. He had a calm yet strong presence about him that I appreciated. My prayers are with his family and many friends who loved him. May he Rest in Peace.
Joanna Ott Rankin
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
So sorry for your loss. I remember Mr Bradford well. He was always so kind to all students. My favorite thing was his ties that lit up. I enjoyed his class always. Rest In Peace.
Shad Overman
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Such a wonderful man. I respected him as one of my many teachers and our talks about cattle.
Leta Ruple
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
There are so many great things about Mr Bradford so I will summarize, Jerry Bradford was one of the good ones and we are blessed to have known him!
Eddie Davis
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
I'll miss him dearly. He was my teacher in High School, my friend. I spent many happy hours on his farm.
Hal Brannon
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Jerry always said thanks a bunch . He is an example to follow.
Tim Starkey
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Mr Bradford was a wonderful man.
GODS SPEED MR B
Tim Starkey
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Mr Bradford was a wonderful man.
GODS SPEED MR B
Bob Barham
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Mr. Bradford had my respect then and he does now. A great teacher and friend to many. He will be sorely missed. Rest easy Sir. Semper Fi Marine.
Bob Barham
CHS Class of 1978
Glenda Baker
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
The memories that I have from Mr. Bradford’s class are wonderful. He was one of a kind and I couldn’t wait to get to his class. He actually made learning fun and loved to laugh with us. He is the teacher that I will never forget. Love him.
Connie Milam Tipton, Class of 1981
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Many teachers in my youth made such a impact on my interest in learning, and Mr. Bradford topped the list. I loved psychology and sociology because of him. He was patient, he was kind, and he took a genuine interest in his students. I loved his humor, his quick wit, his ties and his smile. I’ll never forget talking about the county fair with classmates in 10th grade psychology and him asking if I would be showing my fat calves! Rest in sweet peace Mr. Bradford, for your hard work here is done. May you forever rustle cattle in the greenest of pastures... and may Jesus answer your every question, comment or complaint. ♥ï¸
Pat Raney
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Mr. Jerry was a great example of the true meaning of the word integrity. When he said something, he meant it. He was someone that you could count on. You always knew where you stood with Mr. Jerry, because he would tell you. He is someone we all should strive to be like in our own lives. Don’t say too much, mean what you say and be there for others.
Gary Bean
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Mr Bradford and my Dad Jack Bean taught school together at CHS for a great number of years and were friends- Mr Bradford was a great teacher - this world will miss him
Randy Jones
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, of Mr. Bradford he was such a nice man. One of the people when your growing up in a small town people ask you . You know Mr. Bradford. He was always out side on his farm when you went by his place. Mr. Bradford you will be missed by all that knew him. Rest in Peace my friend !
Vicky Shaw
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
I have great memories of Uncle Jay and Mammi who I visited may times with Sheila. There were always interesting things going on on the farm. Working the collies, shearing the sheep, and making chowchow are just a few favorites. He was an amazing man and will be missed.
Brenda Dowdy
Monday, October 12, 2020
Sheila you and your family are in my prayers sorry I was out of town
Joyce Alexander Hetrick
Monday, October 12, 2020
I trained a pair of Scots Highland steers to work in a yoke and someone told me that there was a man in Mayflower who had some working steers and I called and met Jerry, then he told me about another man who had steers, and before I knew it I had rounded up four old men who had trained steers and I invited them to come to my farm and bring their steers and we all got to be friends.
We went to schools and state parks and took our steers and Jerry took Sarah (who I knew before he did) on their first date to a LOG A LOAD FOR KIDS fund raising by the logging industry for children's hospital, Jerry took his steers and he and sarah showed kids a ride in an ox cart and I worked the crowd and took photographs and we raised a couple of hundred dollars and kids got a once in a life time chance to ride in an ox cart.
For several years we would go to a plow day at Ravenden springs, AR and take our steers and enjoy the down home hospitality of the community, I had taken Jerry's steers up the night before and spent the night there, and on Saturday Jerry and Sarah came walking up the little road both grinning like possoms. I asked Sarah later, "SAre you two going to get married" and she smiled shyly and said "Yes"
I have never been so happy to see two of my friends get married. They gave each other a NEW LIFE that neither had before.
Jerry taught me and my son David to train border collies and a thousand other things. He knew more about livestock and dogs and training animals than any one person I ever knew.
Jerry was a true gentleman in every sense of the word.
Jerry Bradford
Monday, October 12, 2020
I loved visiting them in Mayflower when I was a youngun. He was always Jay to me and my brother.
Kristy Brncic
Monday, October 12, 2020
Mr. Bradford was a great teacher. In high school I would look forward to the holidays to see which light up tie he would wear. Rest In Peace and thank you for your service in the USMC.
Margie McEntire
Monday, October 12, 2020
Mr. Brad was my all time favorite teacher at Conway High School. I always wanted a pig so I could name him Arnold Ziffel (like Green Acres). After having Arnold a while, mice began to come into the tack room where I kept his food. I am afraid of mice and rather than have Arnold starve, I decided I had to give him away. I talked to Mr. Brad and he agreed to take him and off he went to the to the happy farm of Mr. Brad. My best friend used to tease me that Mr. Brad killed him and ate him and I told her there was no way Mr. Brad would do that to me or Arnold. In fact, we recently had this same conversation and talked about how much we loved Mr. Brad. He was such a loving and caring man who had a positive influence on so many. We have lost a great man. Thanks for sharing his advice to his loved ones - we all need to listen.
Payne Skinner
Monday, October 12, 2020
Mr. Brad, as Margie and I called him, was a gentle, tolerant, caring teacher. He okay’d anything we said or did. For some reason, Margie asked for and got a pig. Once received, she realized she wasn’t into getting up before dawn to feed Arnold. Mr. Brad graciously took Arnold off her hands. He always said Arnold was happy with his new home and was playing with the other animals. Who knows
Bet there is not one student he had that doesn’t remember him fondly.
Alex Lieblong
Monday, October 12, 2020
Mr Bradford was one of my all time favorite teachers, I learned so much from him just listening and observing him treating people so nice
Mary
Monday, October 12, 2020
I had him on I believe 10th grade for sociology and psychology...awesome teacher..
Always there if i needed him..
Thoughts and prayers for all..
GOD BLESS..
Mary Fowler Lupo
Janette Meeks Long
Monday, October 12, 2020
I am so sorry to hear of Mr Bradford's passing. He was an amazing teacher and friend. Mr Bradford was a good friend of my grandfather John Wesley Meeks and that is how I first met Mr Bradford as a young child. He was always so kind to me and my brothers, as well as my many cousins that would visit my grandparents on weekends. When I grew up and was in high school, I was so excited to have Mr. Bradford as one of my teachers. He always called by the nickname my grandfather gave me in stead of my real name in class. This was emotionally helpful for me because my grandfather passed away in 1980 and only my father ever called me by nickname after his death except for Mr. Bradford. That always made my heart feel so full of joy that he cared enough about me to call me by my nickname instead. Mr. Bradford always held a huge place in my heart. I loved him very much, and I know he is with our Lord today. I pray that his wife and family can find comfort in God during their time of sorrow because right now I know Mr Bradford is rejoicing with his Heavenly Father!!!
Patti Satterwhite Reynolds
Monday, October 12, 2020
Mr. Bradford was undoubtedly the best teacher I had. He was fair to everyone and loved teaching. His gentle demeanor as well as his ability to make learning interesting is what I remember the most. So many wonderful things written in his obituary describe the man I remember. Praying for all his family and friends as he will be greatly missed.
Earlene Ingram Morgan
Monday, October 12, 2020
Mr. Bradford was one of, if not,my favorite teacher at Conway High. His calm demeanor but stern manner kept his class in line but his sense of humor made it fun to learn in his class.
Randy O. Bowling
Monday, October 12, 2020
A great teacher, an upstanding man & mason. I lost touch with as an adult. I didn't know until now, that Bro. Bradford served in the Corps. Sorry I wasn't there for you Sir. As a Corpsman (USPHS), that makes me remiss in my duty.
It is said, & understood by Marine & Corpsman alike (especially those who saw combat) that at the death of a US Marine the following occurs. May this story never be forgotten & may it always be repeated in all forms of Communication:
Dateline: Heaven. From Behind the Pearly Gates the voice of St. Peter thunders:
St. Peter: "Who treads near the pearly gates"
The Spirit of the Escort Squad Leader, also a former US Marine: "SIR! The Escort Squad with the Spirit of (in this case named) Jerry Daniel Bradford, United States Marine Corp requests permission to come aboard. He's been through Hell on Earth. SIR!
St. Peter (Peaceful, Calm Voice): "SEMPER FI Marine Bradford! Permission Granted. Welcome aboard to Heaven Sir, to your permanent billet station, where there is eternal peace. Follow LTG Puller to your permanent post.....guarding the streets of Heaven's Scene. Semper Fi!!"
Upon arriving at his final post, the Marine hears the voice of the LORD GOD YHWH for the first time and in a peaceful tone only GOD can express: "Welcome aboard Marine! Parade Rest. Semper Fi!"
/s/ Randy O. Bowling
CHS Class of 1973
U.S. Public Health Service, 1979-1980 Nashville, AR S.W. Arkansas Regional Office.
R.O.B./
Danita Webb
Monday, October 12, 2020
Mr. Bradford was one of my favorite teachers. He truly cared about his students. RIP
Holly Hudson
Monday, October 12, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Vickie Pilgrim Payne. Student
Monday, October 12, 2020
Sending my condolences and prayers to the family he was a sweet teacher wish more could’ve been like him a gentle soul rest in Paradise Mr Bradford 💫ðŸ™ðŸ¾â¤ï¸
Julie Hill
Monday, October 12, 2020
Mr. Bradford was a favorite of many CHS students. He was a positive and happy teacher. I always felt he really cared about his students. I’m sad he’s gone.
Vickie Bowlin Butler
Sunday, October 11, 2020
I am sorry for the loss of Mr. Bradford. He was one of my favorite teachers at CHS. I will miss him and his sweet smile.