"I was Brad's housekeeper when he was on Malloy 2South. he was always very nice & had a big smile for everyone. I WAS REALLY SAD TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING. GOD bless you all."
In loving memory of
Burville (B.J.) Bradford
August 31, 2010
Burville J. Bradford, known to many as "Brad", passed onto the Lord on Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, at the age of 84.
He was born July 9, 1926, to Floy and Herman. After Herman passed away, Floy remarried Alton Gideon and moved to Concord, California. Brad attended Mt. DeOblo Schools and at the age of 18, he entered the Army. While serving in Japan, he met Bonnie Bonar at a hospital in Osaka, where he was a patient and she was a nurse. They became engaged and married after their honorable discharges in Algona, Iowa on September 21, 1946.
Brad worked most of his life in the auto repair business. He received his training working at Dau's Garage in Algona. He later became partners with his son Jim and they opened their own shop at Hobarton, Iowa, doing both auto body and motor repairs. Brad also loved the races and really enjoyed helping his son Jim with his racing career.
Brad retired in 1990, but actually painted his last vehicle at the age of 81. Brad and Bonnie entered the VA Center in Marshalltown and finished out their retirement together. Bonnie later passed away in 2001. During the past years, you would likely find Brad watching NASCAR and Indy races on TV or doing volunteer work at the Center. Brad loved his family, especially all of his grand and great-grandchildren. He was full of smiles and laughter when they visited.
Brad is survived by his two sons Robert (Linda) of Lexington, KY and James (Linda) of Oskaloosa, IA; a daughter Kay of Humboldt, IA; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; ten great-step-grandchildren; one sister, Roma Kissenger of Sacramento, CA; and a half-brother, John Gideon of Belavista, AK. He was proceeded in death by his wife, mother, father, and step-father.