Dr. John C. Bradford, Sr., 79, Bardstown
Dr. John C. Bradford, Sr., 79, of Bardstown, affectionately known as “Gaga” by his grandchildren, died peacefully Friday, March 2, 2012, at Flaget Memorial Hospital in Bardstown surrounded by his loving family.
DR. JOHN C. BRADFORD
He was born Aug. 5, 1932, in Diehlstadt, Mo. He grew up in Benton, Scott County in Southeastern Missouri where, as a standout basketball player, he set several scoring records on his way to becoming a four year letterman at Benton High School. He also excelled at softball and was active in the Boy Scouts, eventually becoming Benton’s first Eagle Scout in 1950.
He attended Southeast Missouri State University on a basketball scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. He played on the university’s basketball team and became a founding charter member of the university’s chapter of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity in 1952. He received a dental (DDS) degree from the St. Louis University Dental School in 1959.
During his college and dental school years, he proudly served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1951 until 1959. Following his honorable discharge and graduation from St. Louis University in 1959, he moved to Bardstown and set up a solo dental practice at 101 E. Flaget Street where he worked until his retirement in 1995.
He was a member of the Kiwanis Club in which he served as a treasurer for many years. He was a member of the Louisville Dental Society, a 50-year member of the Kentucky Dental Association and a member of St. Joseph Parish in Bardstown.
He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Jerry Bradford; and his parents, Thomas Carlisle “Buck” and Nina Mae English Bradford.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Margie Tudor Bradford of Bardstown; two sons, John Bradford, Jr., and his wife Luci of Bardstown, and David Bradford and his wife Erin of Southlake, Texas; four daughters, Lisa Pinkston and her husband Donnie of Bardstown, Laurie Bradford and her husband Dave Schnall of Erie, Pa., Karen Conway and her husband Chris of Frankfort, and Christina Bradford and her husband Chris King of Bardstown; one brother, Larry Bradford and his wife Judy of St. Louis, Mo.; two sisters, Sharon Klein and her husband Jerry of Ladue, Mo., and Sarah Bradford of Bardstown; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. The Rev. Bill Hammer will officiate.
Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2012; 4-8 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2012; and 8:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at Mann and Greenwell Funeral Home. A prayer service will be Monday evening at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Nelson County, the Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education or the First Christian Church of Bardstown Building Fund.
Mann and Greenwell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. For more information please visit http://mannandgreenwell.com/.
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