James Bradley

James (Brad) Bradley, of Rose Bud, passed away Tuesday morning, June 4th, 2019 surrounded by his family. He was born January 21, 1928 in Bee Branch to Claude and Mary Blanche (Scott) Bradley. He graduated from South Side School and served in the Army during the Korean War. After returning home to Arkansas he received degrees from both the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Tech University.

Brad, as he was known to hundreds of students, began teaching Vocational Agriculture at Rose Bud in 1952. During his first few years teaching he was introduced to his future wife and best friend of 64 years, the new Home Economics teacher, Barbara (Bell). In addition to teaching for over 30 years the Bradleys maintained a registered Polled Hereford Farm, a coastal Bermuda grass sprig farm, and several acres of pine trees. In his retirement, in addition to farming, he served on the Rose Bud School Board in various offices and was a member of Community Scholarship Foundations for both Rose Bud and South Side. Brad was also a deacon for many years at Rose Bud First Baptist Church where he helped to fund, build, and maintain buildings on the RBFBC campus. Brad adored his family and loved nothing more than to spend time with them and give them advice, though he never did buy any of them a horse.

Brad is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Mary Blanche Bradley (Swinea), step-father Austin Swinea, two brothers, Bill Bradley and Vernon Swinea, and a sister, Mary Jo Whaley. He is survived by his daughter Leah and son-in-law Randy Ward, granddaughter Miranda and her husband Nick Armstrong, and his great-grandaughter Amelia Armstrong.

Family visitation will be held on Friday, June 7 at 5pm followed by a memorial service at 6pm at Rose Bud Assembly of God church on Highway 36. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the scholarship of your choice.