Stewart Wells Bradley, 81, of Oakdale slipped away very early Christmas morning, at his Oakdale home after a very long illness. Stewart was born in Modesto on Aug. 11, 1928 to Owen and Adrienne Bradley. He was raised in Modesto and graduated from Modesto High School in February 1947.
In May 1947, he married the absolute love of his life, Betty Bradley. They lived in the Modesto-Oakdale area all of their lives. Stewart and Betty owned a peach ranch, just east of Modesto, for many years. They raised four children on that peach ranch: Melvin Bradley, Gail Barnes, Fredene Bradley and Scott Bradley. They were married 60 plus years.
Dad’s favorite things were farming, old farm equipment, taking a drive to anywhere, toy farm equipment and toy trucks. Betty and Stewart were avid square dancers for many years. Stewart enjoyed traveling and made a number of trips with their RV friends to the mountains, Yuma and to Baja Mexico. Dad was active in the Modesto Elks, served on the board of Stanislaus Farm Supply, served on the board of the Cling Peach Association, was a member of Modesto 50 Plus Club, the McHenry Mansion and Museum, and was a life member of the Calaveras Big Trees Association.
He was so big in every way — vibrant, full of life, generous, opinionated and very hard working. He made friends easily and kept them for life. Many wild and crazy teenagers transformed to mature and productive adults while working summers on dad’s peach ranch in Modesto. Hard work will do that to you.
Stewart is survived by his son, Melvin Bradley (Barbara) of Oakdale; daughter, Gail Barnes (Randy) of Escalon; daughter, Fredene Bradley of Oakdale; son, Scott Bradley (Shelley) of Escalon; grandchildren, Cheryle Bradley (Karen) of Clovis, Melissa Beneux (Tony) of Modesto, Frances Barnes (Jamie) of Modesto, Josh Bradley (Jill) of Oregon, Jil Dickison (Craig) of Oregon, Jennie Bradley (Matt) of Oregon and Sam Griffith (Sernity) of Modesto; and great grandchildren Tanner, Jacob, Adrienne, Jonathan, Audrey, Ayden and Parker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen Bradley and Adrienne Bradley; his wife, Betty Bradley; and his daughter-in-law, Nancy (Green) Bradley.
A celebration of his life is planned for the spring of 2010 at the family retreat located at 6787 Dogtown Rd. in Coulterville.
The family respectfully requests, that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to either the Calaveras Big Trees Association, P.O. Box 1196, Arnold, CA 95223 or the McHenry Mansion Foundation, 906 15th St., Modesto, Ca 95354.
His ashes will forever dwell in the Sierra Nevada Mountains along with his mother, Adrienne Bradley; father, Owen Bradley; and his wife, Betty Bradley.
Dad was and will forever be… the guiding light in our lives. He taught us a lot. He may be gone, but he really lives on through all of us. We will never forget his strength, character, grit, hard work, and determination. He was an inspiration for us all.
You can leave a written message for the family by visiting www.allenmortuary.com or by e-mailing the family at: mgb33@msn.com.
In May 1947, he married the absolute love of his life, Betty Bradley. They lived in the Modesto-Oakdale area all of their lives. Stewart and Betty owned a peach ranch, just east of Modesto, for many years. They raised four children on that peach ranch: Melvin Bradley, Gail Barnes, Fredene Bradley and Scott Bradley. They were married 60 plus years.
Dad’s favorite things were farming, old farm equipment, taking a drive to anywhere, toy farm equipment and toy trucks. Betty and Stewart were avid square dancers for many years. Stewart enjoyed traveling and made a number of trips with their RV friends to the mountains, Yuma and to Baja Mexico. Dad was active in the Modesto Elks, served on the board of Stanislaus Farm Supply, served on the board of the Cling Peach Association, was a member of Modesto 50 Plus Club, the McHenry Mansion and Museum, and was a life member of the Calaveras Big Trees Association.
He was so big in every way — vibrant, full of life, generous, opinionated and very hard working. He made friends easily and kept them for life. Many wild and crazy teenagers transformed to mature and productive adults while working summers on dad’s peach ranch in Modesto. Hard work will do that to you.
Stewart is survived by his son, Melvin Bradley (Barbara) of Oakdale; daughter, Gail Barnes (Randy) of Escalon; daughter, Fredene Bradley of Oakdale; son, Scott Bradley (Shelley) of Escalon; grandchildren, Cheryle Bradley (Karen) of Clovis, Melissa Beneux (Tony) of Modesto, Frances Barnes (Jamie) of Modesto, Josh Bradley (Jill) of Oregon, Jil Dickison (Craig) of Oregon, Jennie Bradley (Matt) of Oregon and Sam Griffith (Sernity) of Modesto; and great grandchildren Tanner, Jacob, Adrienne, Jonathan, Audrey, Ayden and Parker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen Bradley and Adrienne Bradley; his wife, Betty Bradley; and his daughter-in-law, Nancy (Green) Bradley.
A celebration of his life is planned for the spring of 2010 at the family retreat located at 6787 Dogtown Rd. in Coulterville.
The family respectfully requests, that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to either the Calaveras Big Trees Association, P.O. Box 1196, Arnold, CA 95223 or the McHenry Mansion Foundation, 906 15th St., Modesto, Ca 95354.
His ashes will forever dwell in the Sierra Nevada Mountains along with his mother, Adrienne Bradley; father, Owen Bradley; and his wife, Betty Bradley.
Dad was and will forever be… the guiding light in our lives. He taught us a lot. He may be gone, but he really lives on through all of us. We will never forget his strength, character, grit, hard work, and determination. He was an inspiration for us all.
You can leave a written message for the family by visiting www.allenmortuary.com or by e-mailing the family at: mgb33@msn.com.
