Ralph
O. Bradley
1920-2016
On
December 22, Ralph O. Bradley passed away surrounded by his loving children.
His capacity for love was limitless, and he will be deeply missed by family,
friends, those he served through his leadership, and the many others he touched
on his journey through life.
He
left this life as he lived it, nobly. Truly of Ralph, it can be said, “Well
done, thou good and faithful servant.” As a family, we have the certain
knowledge that death is not the end and this period of separation is only
temporary.
Ralph
was born February 24, 1920, on a kitchen table in Moroni, Utah, the first of two
children of William Otis and Nida Susannah Hales Bradley. He married Mildred
Harris on May 14, 1941, in the Salt Lake Temple. He was in business for himself
most of his life, at Bradley Badger, Town & Country Home Furnishings and
Bradley’s Sleep Center. He wanted to work for himself so his children could
work with him.
Ralph
loved children. He is survived by 13 children, S. Robert (Lonnie), Susan
(Leslie) Dorrough, Judith Parry, Craig (Joy), Betsy (Dalton) Cannon, Richard,
James (Shauna), Maryjane (Bradford) Melis, Peggy Waltman, John (Ann), David
(Catherine), Barbara (Michael) Creer and Lisa (Ned) Stephenson. He was preceded
in death by his wife of 68 years, Mildred Bradley, and daughter, Kathleen (Ron)
Offret. At the time of his passing, Ralph and Mildred were blessed with 86
grandchildren, 231 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Ralph is
also survived by his brother-in-law, Robert Sorbonne.
Ralph
was a loving husband and devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather. His
greatest joy was his family. His family was very important to him. He sponsored
fun-filled family reunions and brought his children together on cruises. But,
with Ralph it wasn’t just the big events. He was in touch with the lives of
each of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren on a very personal
and individual basis. He had the amazing ability to know what everyone was up
to, their struggles and challenges, and their successes. He was always there to
offer a listening ear and advice.
As
a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ralph was
always blessed with a strong and valiant testimony of the gospel of Jesus
Christ, and showed that testimony through continuous service. Ralph spent
nearly his entire adult life serving in the church. He willingly devoted his
time to callings such as Bishop, Stake President, Mission President of the North
Carolina Charlotte Mission, Executive Secretary to the Southeast Area President,
Regional Representative of the Twelve, Director of Temple Square, President of
the Washington D.C. Temple and Sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. He was also a
committed and caring home teacher.
Funeral
services will be held Friday, December 30th, at 11:00 am at Garden
Heights Ward, 2220 E. Fisher Lane (2950 South). A viewing will be held at
Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South in Salt Lake City on Thursday, December
29th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and also Friday December 30th from 9:00 to
10:30 am at the church prior to the funeral services. Interment will be at the
Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions
to the General Missionary Fund, Humanitarian Fund or Perpetual Education Fund of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
