Obituary of Donald Bradley

Edward Donald Bradley (Don), born May 18, 1946, passed from this life on July 13, 2016. He was 70. He was preceded in death by his Mother, Ruth Bradley, Step Dad Charlie Bradley, Father Harvey Bradley, Step Mother Edith Bradley, and brothers Bill Acord, Ernest Pennington, and Elmer Pennington. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Dolores Bradley. Son, Scott Bradley. Two step-sons Jess Barnes of Stillwater, wife Tami, daughter Hadlee (4), sons Gage (16) and Noah (19). Eric Barnes of Tulsa, wife Susan, daughters Emily (18) and Ashley (16). And one sister, Lucile Garner of Owasso. Also his Uncle Ernest Ennis, and many cousins in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Don was born near Hot Springs, Arkansas and spent his early life there with his large family. Fishing and hunting were at the center of their activities, and Don remained an avid outdoorsman for his entire life. He spent time hunting and fishing with family and friends regularly, and enjoyed spending time at the Ennis family deer camp in Southcentral Arkansas. At 16, Don moved to Jenks where he graduated from high school in 1965. After high school, he graduated from Okmulgee Tech as a technician in auto body repair. He was one of the best at the craft through the mid-90’s. In 1971, Don went to work for the Jenks Police Department and had a great career there, retiring in 2001 as assistant Chief. During that time, he was a certified armorer and served as a CLEET firearms instructor where he was known for his marksmanship. Don could throw a tennis ball in the air and shoot it twice before it hit the ground, with a handgun. After retirement, Don worked as a security officer from the Smart Car on the River Parks trails. Personally, Don was known for his great, albeit ornery, sense of humor, and his incredibly generous spirit. Around Christmas or a birthday, you had to be careful about mentioning something you thought was neat, because it was sure to end up in a wrapped box. He loved to help others and was particularly gifted at finding a solution to fix what others thought couldn’t be fixed. Don loved Dolores. And he loved Scott, Eric and Jess. There was no “step” distinction in the way he loved and cared for the boys. Don loved kids; the grandkids and nieces and cousins who knew him as PaPaw, Grandpa or Uncle Don, lit up his face like nothing else. In 2001, Don made the decision to give his life to Christ. Today, he is healed and with his Savior. We mourn, but more importantly we celebrate his life and give thanks for his role in ours. Services will be held Monday, July 18, 2PM at New Springs Family Church in Jenks. Donations in Don’s honor can be made to the American Heart Association: https://donatenow.heart.org