Tommy Lee Bradford, Jr. January 4, 2017

Celebration of Life Service

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Time: 11:00 a.m.

West Side Baptist Church

900 Bellaire Blvd

Lewisville, TX 75067

Celebration of Life Service

Friday, January 6, 2017

Time: 11:00 a.m.

New Hope Baptist Association – Boyer Bell Building

763 Beech Springs Road

Jonesboro, Louisiana

December 29, 2016, God sent His angel to bring home one of His children, Tommy Lee Bradford, Jr.  “Junior”, as he was affectionately called, was born February 19, 1951 in Jonesboro, LA.  He is the older son of six children born to Tommy Lee and Essie Duncan Bradford.

Tommy accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at the Travelers Rest Baptist Church, Jonesboro, LA.  He and his siblings knew that Sunday was a time for Sunday School and church.  He participated in various church           activities and sang in the youth choir.

Growing up with his siblings and being reared by his grandparents, Thomas and Annie Mae Bradford, Tommy learned the importance of working hard and achieving his goals.  He helped his grandfather on the farm by cutting cane, working in the syrup mill, plowing, picking vegetables, and feeding hogs and chickens.  He also had local jobs around the town.  These experiences helped to instill in him a strong work ethic.

In 1969 he graduated from Jackson High School, where he played football (ran one touchdown and bugged his sisters to repeat over and over how the crowd reacted). He participated in the high school band, drama club, and served as class president.  He also graduated and received his barber’s license from Caddo Barber College in Shreveport, LA. Tommy entered Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA in 1969.  He married his childhood sweetheart, Marion Lewis, on January 3, 1970. To this union, Thomas Rodney was born.  Tom was a wonderful husband and father, who worked extremely hard to take care of his family and maintain his studies.  He was a proud Southern University Jaguar, and earned a degree in Marketing in January 1973.

Tommy began his career with the Department of Defense – Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) in 1973.  During his tenure with AAFES, he held a variety of positions to include, senior retail program specialist, director of AAFES’s Management Training Center, Director of Retail Operations – Central Region, and Business Analysis Manager.   He and his family were blessed to experience the cultures of Germany, Japan, and lived in seven states during his employment.  He remained with AAFES for thirty-three years, and retired March 24, 2006.

During his career, Tommy and his family relocated to Clarksville, TN, and united with the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Jimmy Terry, Pastor.  Under Pastor Terry’s leadership, Tommy served as a church steward.  Later moving to Dallas, he and his wife, Marion, joined the Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, Dallas, TX, now located in Richardson, TX.  He was a member of the Brotherhood, Male Chorus, an alternate Sunday School Teacher, and an organizer and coordinator of the Boy’s Mentoring Program.  Tommy enjoyed taking the boys fishing and assisting them with food basket projects for widows and sick and shut-ins.  In 2004, Tommy and his wife united with the Westside Baptist Church, Lewisville, TX.  Again, he took his call to serve God very seriously by becoming involved with various church ministries.  He served as an alternate Sunday School teacher, sang in the Male Chorus, became a licensed food handler with the Food Ministry, and was a member of the Facilities Committee.  He served faithfully until his health began to fail.

Tommy was an avid sailor, sailing often with family and friends on Lewisville Lake.  Fishing was another hobby he enjoyed.  Once a month, he also enjoyed and looked forward to meeting with The Breakfast Club, a group of retired AAFES friends.

Although Tommy had numerous health issues, he greeted each day with a positive attitude and thanksgiving. He walked by faith, never complaining, and trusted God to sustain him.

He leaves to cherish his memories, Marion Lewis Bradford, his loving and devoted wife of forty-seven years; his son, Thomas Rodney Bradford and wife ShaRonda; four grandchildren –  Alize’ and Shyla Bradford, Jasmine Hill, and Xavian Taylor.  Tommy’s siblings are Robert Earl Bradford; Gloria Bradford Prim and husband Damon; Alfreda Bradford Swafford and husband Albert; Dr.  Anthony J. Bradford and wife Rita; Jacqueline Bradford Wright and husband Larry; Carolyn Bradford Gray and husband Michael. He also leaves two sisters-in-law – Annie L. Mouton and husband Johnnie, and Cora L. Calahan.  Included in his legacy are nieces and nephews, who cherished their uncle’s stern, but loving advice, along with a host of family members and friends.

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Eternal Rest Funeral Home – “Creating Memories That Will Last A Lifetime”

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