Published: October 09, 2008 04:36 pm         

Richard E. Bradley Sr.

Oct. 18, 1927 — Oct. 6, 2008



Dr. Richard Eugene Bradley, Sr. passed away Oct. 6, 2008. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home of Morganton, NC. Friends will be received from 1-2 p.m.



Dr. Bradley was born Oct. 18, 1927 in Decatur, IL, to Mabel Waltz and Donald Bradley.



He grew up in Illinois, attending the University of Illinois before joining the U.S. Navy in the Hospital Corps at the end of World War II. After the Navy he attended Florida State University in the first co-ed class, graduating in 1949. After graduation from FSU he went to veterinary school at the University of Georgia where he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, as well as a master's degree.



After several years of private veterinary practice in Illinois he went back to the University of Georgia and was awarded his Ph.D. in Parasitology. He joined the veterinary science faculty at the University of Florida in 1965 where he taught and did research in veterinary medicine until his retirement in 1990.



During his years as a faculty member at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, he served in many positions with the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, the Eastern States Veterinary Association, as well as chairing many committees with the College of Veterinary Medicine. From 2003 he and his family have owned and operated Kustom Kare Kennel in Morganton.

He is survived by his wife, Alla Parnell Bradley; and their daughter, Meghann Parnell Bradley of Morganton, NC. He is also survived by three of his sons from his previous marriage: David Bradley of Bethesda, MD, Donald Bradley of Cary, NC, and Douglas Bradley of Cary, NC; and by six grandchildren, Philip Bradley of Washington, DC, Scott Bradley of Quincy, MA, Bert Bradley of Cincinnati, OH, Eric Bradley of Grand Rapids, MI, and Claire and Colin Bradley of Cary, NC.



He was preceded in death by his mother, Mabel Bradley; his father, Donald Bradley; his sister, Barbara Jean Ludwig; and his son, Richard Bradley, Jr.



If preferred, donations in Richard's name may be made to the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Senior Director of Development, P.O. Box 100125, Gainesville, FL 32610. Please make checks payable to the University of Florida Foundation and mail with a cover letter designating donations for the Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Fund in memory of Richard E. Bradley, DVM, PhD, Professor Emeritus.



Sossoman Funeral Home of Morganton, NC (www.sossomanfuneralservice.com) is in charge of the arrangements.