Charles Harvey Bradley

Charles Harvey Bradley, former Director, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel for Eli Lilly and Company, died on March 25. He was born in Indianapolis, IN, on July 17, 1923, to Charles Harvey and Carolyn Coffin Bradley. After attending Park School, he graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, MA, and entered Yale University in 1941. He interrupted his studies to volunteer in World War II. As a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, he was a dive bomber pilot in the Philippine Campaign. He was awarded nine Air Medals and three Distinguished Flying Crosses. In 1944, he married Mary Josephine Albright and returned to complete his undergraduate degree at Yale, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and Wolf's Head, graduating in 1946 with the Class of '45. He then attended Yale School of Law, earning his L.L.B. in 1949. While there, he was a member of Corbey Court and Phi Delta Phi. In that same year, he joined the law firm of Thompson, O'Neal and Smith and became partner in 1953. His career was interrupted in 1952, when he was called from inactive duty to serve as a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He piloted a jet figh...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

off the carrier USS Coral Seas, Sixth Fleet, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Naval Aviator Insignia. In 1960, he left private practice for the Law Division of Eli Lilly. In 1963, he became the company's Assistant Secretary and Director of the legal division. In 1964, the Board of Directors elected him Secretary and General Counsel and member of the Board in 1972. He became a Lilly Vice President in 1984 and a Senior Vice President in 1987, shortly before retiring. He was a member of the Indianapolis and Indiana Bar Associations; admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; member of the Indiana Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Legal Education; former member of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Character and Fitness; President, Yale Law School Association 1977-80 and member of Executive Committee; former President, Legal Aid Society of Indianapolis; former Chairman, Corporate Counsel Sections of the Indiana and Indianapolis Bar Assns. Former Vice Chairman, Law Section, Pharmaceutical Manufacturer's Association; member, Association of General Counsel and former member of its Executive Committee; member, Lawyers Club of Indianapolis; fellow, Indiana Bar Foundation. He was a board member of the Indianapolis Water Company 1970-87; member of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and its Executive Committee; member of the Board of Corporators. Crown Hill Cemetery and former Chairman of Board of Managers. He was former President of the Yale Club of Indiana and Indianapolis Dramatic Club; Trustee, Hussey-Mayfield memorial Public Library in Zionsville, IN; Trustee, Historic Landmarks Association of Indiana; member of the Presidential Commission on the Management of the Agency for International Development 1987-89. He was Chairman of the Indiana Finance Committee for the nomination and election of George H.W. Bush, a longtime friend from his years at Andover. He was appointed Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Robert Orr in 1987. He was also a member of the Society of Indiana Pioneers; American Bonanza Society; United States Senior' Golf Association; The Army-Navy Club of Indianapolis; Meridian Hills Country Club; Crooked Stick Golf Club; Indianapolis Athletic Club; Mountain Lake Club in Lake Wales, FL; and Maxinkuckee Country Club in Culver, IN. His interest in aviation continued after his military service, and he flew his own single-engine Bonanza, often with Mary Jo, who learned to land the plane herself. They traveled throughout the country in his plane, including tracing the journey of Lewis and Clark by air. He was an accomplished golfer and the first Club Champion at Crooked Stick, but he also attained championships at Meridian Hills and Mountain Lake. A lifelong summer resident on Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, IN, in retirement, he and Mary Jo enjoyed winters in Mountain Lake, where they shared their home with their German Shepherds. His wife predeceased him in 2010 after 66 years of marriage. His sister Barbara B. Walker-Hare of Little Rock, AR, also predeceased him. He is survived by his sister Katherine B. Moseley of Mount Vernon, NY; his daughters Sally Peacock (Jay) of Indianapolis and Naples, FL, and Jane Bradley (Michael Bezdek) of Duxbury, MA; grandchildren Remy Kothe (Douglas Summa), Alison Rauh (Daniel), Lucy Weilbrenner (Bradford), Claire Gochal (Joseph) and Alexander Bezdek (Gena); step granddaughter Morgan Coleman (Andrew); six great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren; nieces Barbara Rushing, Carolyn Mandala and Katherine Krieg; nephews Wythe and Bradley Walker. He also leaves his cousins Honey Barnes, Howdy and Hap Hays. A private service will be held. Arrangements: Crown Hill Funeral Home.