Clifford Allen Bradley, Sr.'s Obituary
Clifford Allen Bradley, 97, of DeRidder peacefully passed away Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Beauregard Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family. Clifford will long be remembered for his kind, loving nature and his concern for and others. He was a leader in his community and touched many lives over his lifetime.
Clifford was born in Brown County, Indiana, on November 5, 1919 to James E. and Etta Hatchett Bradley. He was the fifth of seven children. As a young child, the family moved to a farm near Attica, Kansas. Due to severe drought conditions and the economic chaos of the Great Depression, in 1933 the family moved to DeRidder, Louisiana when Clifford was 13 years of age.
Clifford graduated from DeRidder High School in 1938. On June 11, 1941, he married his sweetheart, Ruth Clotilde Hooks. Of that marriage five children were born. Clifford served in the U. S. Army Air Corp In World War II from 1942 until his honorable discharge in November,1945. After the war, he opened Bradley's Cleaners and later Bradley's Dry Goods in 1950. In 1982, he began an active retirement.
Clifford was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in DeRidder where he served as a Sunday School teacher and Training Union Director. He was the Cubmaster of Pack 39 for 14 years. He served in many community organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army, American Legion, DeRidder Lions Club and others.
Since 1947, Clifford was an active member of DeRidder Lodge #271 F&AM. Clifford served in numerous positions in the Masonic Orders culminating in 1986 with his selection as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. He was the oldest living Grand Master in Louisiana at the time of his death. In July,2017 he was recognized for his 70 years of service to the Masonic Order.
Clifford was a dedicated DeRidder High School athletic booster and served as the announcer for the DHS football (38 years), basketball scorekeeper and announcer for DHS track meets for many years.
Clifford is survived by his children Julia Anderson (Ken)of Westlake; Mary Ruth Corley (Roy) of Austin, Texas; C. Allen Bradley, Jr. (Cathy) of DeRidder; and Patrice Cason (Joe) of DeRidder. One brother, Ernest E. Bradley of DeRidder. A very special niece, Marietta Jenkins (Gordon) of DeRidder. He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren David Anderson, Debbie Bosman, Kym DiGiovanni, Brad Lee Anderson, Robert Corley, Stephen Corley, Michael Corley, Brent Bradley, Brian Bradley, Erin Bradley, Todd Blackmon, Jeremy Blackmon and Lance Cason. He is also survived by 18 great grandchildren.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of more than 71 years, Ruth Clotilde Bradley; his son, Robert Allen Bradley; his sisters, Ina Hobbs, Elsie Ellender, Setta Hudry; his brothers, Leslie and Kenneth Bradley.
Visitation will be Monday, July 31, 2017 from 5-8 pm at Labby Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 10 am at the First Baptist Church in DeRidder. Rev. Lindsey Burns will officiate. There will be a Masonic gravesite service at Beauregard Cemetery.
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