Joseph Harrison Bradley, 88, died peacefully at his home in New Braunfels, Texas, Monday, October 3, 2011, surrounded by his family.
Joe was born on August 31, 1923 in Brownwood, Texas to Margaret and Hardy B. Bradley. He grew up on a ranch and attended Brownwood High School. In 1943 he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and was stationed in Italy. He was a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber, flying his 48th mission when his plane, the “Dry Run” was shot down while bombing “Hitler’s Oil Fields” over Ploiesti, Rumania. After bailing from his airplane, he was captured by the Germans and was told by the ranking officer, “For you my friend, the war is over!” He remained in a POW Camp until the end of the war in Europe. He received the “Purple Heart” and the Distinguished Medal of Honor for his service to his country.
After his liberation he returned to Texas and while sitting on his front porch in Brownwood, his dear friend drove by and told him he was going to the University of Texas on the GI bill. Joe told him to wait while he packed his bag and joined him at the University. He pledged Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and later met Jenny Bett Dickson, who would become his wife of 64 years. Joe’s life was full of hunting, fishing, golf, friends, family and his beloved dachshund Daisy.
Joe and Jenny started their married life in Beaumont, Texas where after many sales jobs he purchased the Andrew Brown Carpet Company and was in the carpet business until his retirement. In the late 1960’s he developed apartment complexes in Beaumont and Falls Church, Virginia. He was instrumental in the formation of the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Golf Tournament in Beaumont when the Babe was ranked one of the top ten golfers of all time, whether male or female.
Joe and Jenny have two daughters, Becky Bradley LyBrand and husband Julio LyBrand of New Braunfels and Sally Bradley Broyles, and husband Buzzy Broyles of Fort Worth. They have seven grandchildren, Bradley LyBrand and his wife Cindy of Houston; Ross Dickson LyBrand and his wife Katya of Houston, Grayson DiFonzo and her husband, Buddy of Dallas; Jenny Bett Newsom and her husband, Logan of San Angelo, Leigh Kathryn Broyles of Dallas, Laura Broyles Warnier and her husband Dan of New York and Jeffrey Harrison Broyles of Fort Worth. They also have three great-granddaughters, Sophia LyBrand, Finley Warnier and Maeve Warnier.
The Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of New Braunfels at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 7, 2011, with a reception following in Wesley Hall at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of the First United Methodist Church, 572 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, Texas 78130 or to Hope Hospice of New Braunfels, 611 North Walnut Avenue, New Braunfels, Texas 78130.
