Stewart Wells Bradley, 81, died Dec. 25, 2009 at his Oakdale home after a very long illness.
He was born in Modesto to Owen and Adrienne Bradley. He was raised in Modesto and graduated from Modesto High School in February 1947.
In May 1947 he married the love of his life, Betty Bradley. They lived in the Modesto - Oakdale area all of their lives. He and his wife owned a peach ranch, just east of Modesto, for many years. They raised four children and were married for more than 60 years.
Mr. Bradley's favorite things were farming, old farm equipment, taking a drive to anywhere, toy farm equipment and toy trucks. He and his wife were avid square dancers for many years. He enjoyed traveling and made a number of trips with their RV friends to the mountains, Yuma and to Baja Mexico.
He was active in the Modesto Elks, served on the board of Stanislaus Farm Supply, served on the board of the Cling Peach Association, was a member of Modesto 50 Plus Club, the McHenry Mansion and Museum, and was a life member of the Calaveras Big Trees Association.
He was vibrant, full of life, generous, opinionated, and very hard working. He made friends easily and kept them for life. Many wild and crazy teenagers transformed to mature and productive adults while working summers on his peach ranch in Modesto.
Mr. Bradley was and will forever be the guiding light in his children's lives, he taught them a lot. His strength, character, grit, hard work, and determination will not be forgotten.
Survivors include his sons, Melvin (Barbara) Bradley of Oakdale, Scott (Shelley) Bradley of Escalon; daughters, Gail (Randy) Barnes of Escalon, Fredene Bradley of Oakdale; grandchildren Cheryle (Karen) Bradley of Clovis, Melissa (Tony) Beneux of Modesto, Frances (Jamie) Barnes of Modesto, Josh (Jill) Bradley of Oregon, Jil (Craig) Dickison of Oregon, Jennie (Matt) Bradley of Oregon, Sam (Sernity) Griffith of Modesto; and six great-grandchildren Tanner, Jacob, Adrienne, Jonathan, Audrey, Ayden and Parker.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Bradley; parents, Owen Bradley and Adrienne Bradley; and his daughter-in-law, Nancy (Green) Bradley.
A celebration of his life is planned for the spring of 2010 at the family retreat located at 6787 Dogtown Road, Coulterville. His ashes will dwell in the Sierra Nevada Mountains along with his parents and his wife.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to the Calaveras Big Trees Association, P.O. Box 1196, Arnold, CA 95223; or to the McHenry Mansion Foundation, 906 15th St., Modesto, CA 95354.
Allen Mortuary in charge of arrangements.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Jan. 6, 2010
He was born in Modesto to Owen and Adrienne Bradley. He was raised in Modesto and graduated from Modesto High School in February 1947.
In May 1947 he married the love of his life, Betty Bradley. They lived in the Modesto - Oakdale area all of their lives. He and his wife owned a peach ranch, just east of Modesto, for many years. They raised four children and were married for more than 60 years.
Mr. Bradley's favorite things were farming, old farm equipment, taking a drive to anywhere, toy farm equipment and toy trucks. He and his wife were avid square dancers for many years. He enjoyed traveling and made a number of trips with their RV friends to the mountains, Yuma and to Baja Mexico.
He was active in the Modesto Elks, served on the board of Stanislaus Farm Supply, served on the board of the Cling Peach Association, was a member of Modesto 50 Plus Club, the McHenry Mansion and Museum, and was a life member of the Calaveras Big Trees Association.
He was vibrant, full of life, generous, opinionated, and very hard working. He made friends easily and kept them for life. Many wild and crazy teenagers transformed to mature and productive adults while working summers on his peach ranch in Modesto.
Mr. Bradley was and will forever be the guiding light in his children's lives, he taught them a lot. His strength, character, grit, hard work, and determination will not be forgotten.
Survivors include his sons, Melvin (Barbara) Bradley of Oakdale, Scott (Shelley) Bradley of Escalon; daughters, Gail (Randy) Barnes of Escalon, Fredene Bradley of Oakdale; grandchildren Cheryle (Karen) Bradley of Clovis, Melissa (Tony) Beneux of Modesto, Frances (Jamie) Barnes of Modesto, Josh (Jill) Bradley of Oregon, Jil (Craig) Dickison of Oregon, Jennie (Matt) Bradley of Oregon, Sam (Sernity) Griffith of Modesto; and six great-grandchildren Tanner, Jacob, Adrienne, Jonathan, Audrey, Ayden and Parker.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Bradley; parents, Owen Bradley and Adrienne Bradley; and his daughter-in-law, Nancy (Green) Bradley.
A celebration of his life is planned for the spring of 2010 at the family retreat located at 6787 Dogtown Road, Coulterville. His ashes will dwell in the Sierra Nevada Mountains along with his parents and his wife.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to the Calaveras Big Trees Association, P.O. Box 1196, Arnold, CA 95223; or to the McHenry Mansion Foundation, 906 15th St., Modesto, CA 95354.
Allen Mortuary in charge of arrangements.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Jan. 6, 2010
