Sterling Arnold "Brad" Bradham
Marriages
Juanita Ruth Butler - May 8, 1939
in Sterling City, Texas
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6 A Death Notice - July 22, 2014
Sterling Arnold “Brad” Bradham, 96, Fruita, died July 20, 2014,
at Family Health West. Services are pending.
He is survived by one son, Ben Lee of Whitewater; one daughter,
Saundra Hammett of Grand Junction; one brother, Doug of Arlington,
Texas; six grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and many
great-great-grandchildren.
Contributions to HopeWest, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction 81506.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7B Obituary - July 23, 2014
Sterling “Brad” Bradham was
born in Frost, Navarro County,
TX to Oscar Lee Bradham and
Amma Fletcher (Hayes) Bradham,
the first of three children. In his
younger years, his family lived in
Mexia, TX, Christoval, TX, then
settled in Forsan, TX for 18 years.
He attended school in Forsan,
played French Horn in the band and worked at Colson’s Drug as a soda
jerk. After high school, he attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock,
TX, studying geology.
Brad’s sister, Edna Earl, introduced him to her friend, Juanita Ruth
Butler. Brad and Juanita dated, fell in love and eventually eloped and
were married on May 8, 1939, at the courthouse in Sterling City, TX.
They were proud to be the first couple to be married in the new courthouse
in Sterling City.
After marriage, they saved until they could buy their first house in
Forsan for $80.00. They eventually moved to Kermit, TX where they
settled and Brad worked for SUNOCO. They bought a house in Kermit
for $225.00, furniture included.
Brad’s career choices took him to Vancouver, WA to work in the shipyards
as a welder during World War II, then to Freeport, TX also as
a welder, then back to Kermit. He went to work for El Paso Natural
Gas Co. and he always considered this a great career choice. He had
an interesting, fun and successful career with El Paso Natural Gas CO
and after his three children finished high school, he was eventually
transferred to El Paso, TX.
He and Juanita traveled to many interesting places all over the United
States with his work, and eventually to Algeria for two years, where he
taught the locals to weld and consequently run the gas plant they built.
He had a great ability to explore new places and always made new
friends. He loved his work and taught his children and grandchildren
the value of work ethics... a good day’s work for a day’s pay. All of
his grandchildren loved him so very much and admired his talents, his
sense of humor and his ability to love so deeply. When he received a
phone call from any of them, he always, always ended the conversation
with “I love you”.
Brad also taught his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and
great-great-grandchildren how to play. He enjoyed his life to the fullest.
He was a hunter, golfer, fisherman, bowler and boater. He cherished
family above all and expressed his gratitude and love often and
sincerely. He never ate a meal that wasn’t “the best meal I ever had”
and let the preparer know how much he enjoyed it. He was positive
even through disappointments and his long illness and demonstrated a
joy of life everyday.
As a Boy Scout Leader, he gave much time and energy to Boy Scouts,
priding himself on seeing many of the boys earn Eagle Scout status.
Many of his scouts had a special bond with him and stayed in tough
through the years. All of them said what a positive influence he had
been in their lives and what an example he was to them.
In 1980, Brad and Juanita returned from Algeria to retirement in
Grand Junction, CO, which offered everything they loved in scenery,
activities, sports, and climate. This was a great choice for them.
Brad loved his caregivers at Family Health West, and held each of
them up as his “best girlfriend”. He laughed with them and praised
them always. They were an important part of his life and such a blessing
in the last days of his life.
Brad loved his Lord and praise songs and old hymns. He often witnessed
to those around him by asking, “Are you a Christian?” and he
always witnessed by the way he lived his life. He listened for hours on
end to the Gaithers sing, often joining them with his rich bass voice.
Those of us who mourn his loss are blessed to have known him.
Among those are his two children, Saundra Arlene (Mike) Bradham
Hammett and Ben Lee (Darlene) Bradham; his six grandchildren,
many great-grandchildren and many great-great-grandchildren, and his
beloved brother, Doug (Millie) Bradham. He was preceded in death by
his cherished and beloved wife of 63 years, Juanita Ruth; a daughter,
Linda Janelle (Dick) Bradham; one grandson, Steven Wayne Parrack;
his sister, Edna Earl Bradham Wyatt and his parents.
At Brad’s request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service
will be held at a later date. Arrangements had been entrusted to Mesa
Funeral Service.
