Earl W. Bradford
Earl W. Bradford was born February 18, 1928, in Marshall, Texas, the son of John Robert and Leila Solomon Bradford. He went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 8, 2011.
After graduation from Marshall High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served eight years. He met Erlene Donahoe while attending East Texas Baptist College and they were married on April 17, 1949. They moved to Nacogdoches in 1960 where he owned and managed several local retail establishments in and around Nacogdoches, including J. B. White Department Store, Brad-Morr Fabrics and Security National Bank (now Regions Financial). A past President of the Lions Club, he was active in many community projects.
After retirement, he enjoyed fishing, playing 42 and bridge and spending time with his family and friends. Always with a practical joke or humorous story to tell, he brightened the lives of all he touched.
Earl is survived by his wife, Erlene; one sister, Gwendolyn Ross of Shreveport, La.; four sons, Brad and Eve Vaughn of Port Bolivar, Texas, Keith and Sherrie and Kevin and Angela, all of Nacogdoches, and Eric and Holly of Porter Texas; eight grandchildren, Matthew Bradford and wife Rashay, Joshua Bradford, Ashley Sosa , Jeremy Peake, Alyssa Bradford, Anakin Bradford, Emily Bradford, and Kaleb Bradford; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, John Robert (Bobby) and Howard Edward (Eddie) Bradford.
Pall bearers will be grandsons Matthew and Joshua Bradford and cherished friends Ken Wood, Bob Dunn, Chuck Cheek, Raymond Wiggins, Carroll Gresham, and Dr. Shakoor Awan.
He was a devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church of Nacogdoches, and in lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Calvary Baptist Church of Nacogdoches Building Fund, or charity of your choice.
Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at Calvary Baptist Church, located at 3732 N.E. Stallings Dr. in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 10, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Cason Monk-Metcalf, 5400 North Street.
Condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com
