Len Bradford

Leonard F. (Len) Bradford passed away on Sunday, October 1st at his home in Kerrville with family members at his bedside. He was born on October 10, 1926 in Ranger, Texas to Ester and Lucille Matthews Bradford. His father was a tool dresser on the drilling rigs of the time and the family moved around west Texas with each new oil discovery, eventually settling in Kermit where Len graduated high school in 1944. He was the first young man to attain the rank of Eagle Scout in his home town and attended the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico two consecutive summers in the early forties.\r\n\r\nLike his father who served in the Navy in WWI, Len signed up in January 1944 at the age of 17 and reported for duty shortly after graduating high school that spring. He served as a yoeman second class aboard LST 905 in the Pacific theater before being honorably discharged in July 1946.\r\n\r\nIn the late forties Len attended North Texas State University while working summers and holidays in the Keystone oil field for the Richardson/Bass Oil Company. It was while in college that he met his first wife Rosemarie Monroe. Upon graduating in January 1950 he went to work for Sun Oil Company in Dallas. Two years later he was invited to join the property tax consulting firm of Carter, Mizell, and Carruth who specialized in appraisal and valuation of oil & gas wells for operators across the United States. Shortly thereafter the firm became Carter, MIzell, Carruth and Bradford. Also in 1950 Len married Rosemarie Monroe and they had two sons and a daughter. In 1977 they divorced and in 1985 he married Joy Van Zandt Gray in Dallas, Texas. Both Len and Joy retired in 1989 and enjoyed their new found freedom for the next decade by sailing and traveling around both the US and Canada in their fifth wheel RV. After marrying Len and Joy settled in DeSoto, TX until 1998 when they moved to their "forever home" in Kerrville.\r\n\r\nIt didn't take long for Len and Joy to find a "new home" at First United Methodist Church. Len became a very active volunteer at both Habitat for Humanity and the Nature Center. It was while working at those organizations that Len's passion for wood working blossomed. He truly enjoyed making his beautiful wooden crosses for FUMC to present to new church members. Numerous individuals across the area are enjoying his cutting boards, serving trays, and salt & pepper shakers to this day. He was also popular for his ornate cremation boxes.\r\n\r\nLen was preceded in death by his parents, Ester & Lucille; daughter, Minda Diane; first Wife, Rosemarie, second wife, Joy; brother, David; and stepson, Bryan Gray.\r\n\r\nHe is survived by his sister Jo Ann Jackson of Ennis, TX; sister-in-law Ruth Bradford of Arlington, TX; two sons, Stephen and wife Patricia of Burleson, TX and Brent and wife Phyllis of Milford, TX; grandsons Loren and wife Rachel of Nixa, MO and Tyler and wife Lindy of Burleson, TX; great grandchildren Addy, Emmie, and Hudson; and a host of nieces and nephews. Also left to cherish his memory are stepsons Kevin Gray of Miami, FL and Steve Gray and wife Lieschen of San Antonio, TX as well as step granddaughter Stephanie Gray and her son Chris of San Antonio.\r\n\r\nCelebration of life services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 14th at First United Methodist Church of Kerrville with an opportunity to visit with the family immediately following.\r\n\r\nLen's immediate family wishes to thank the amazing professionals at Peterson Hospice and the wonderful care givers of United Angels, without whom we would not have had him with us for as long as we did.\r\n\r\nThose wishing to donate in lieu of flowers might consider First United Methodist Church of Kerrville, Peterson Hospice, and/or Meals on Wheels of Kerrville.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n