Rev. James W. Bradford

Published 12:04 pm Thursday, April 26, 2018

Rev. James W. Bradford entered into the perfect presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 24, 2018. Rev. Bradford had been in declining health and lived at the Oak Grove Nursing Home in Groves, Texas.

Rev. Bradford was born on November 5, 1930 in Port Arthur, Texas to T.H. and Bessie Bradford. He was a twin to Jerrell Bradford and the two were inseparable until Jerrell’s death in April 2015. Rev. Bradford is also preceded in death by his loving wife of over 60 years, Norma Jean, who passed into the perfect presence of Jesus in November 2012. Norma and Jerrell’s wife, Charlene, were also best of friends from their preschool days until Charlene’s death in January 2012. Rev. Bradford is also preceded in death by another brother, T.H. Bradford, Jr. and his wife, Johnanna and a sister, Gwendolyn Redman and her husband, Clyde. Rev. Bradford is survived by his son, Rev. Dr. James W. Bradford, II (Brad) and his wife, Rhonda of Fort Walton Beach, Florida and his daughter, Donnah L. Nelson and her husband, James of Bridge City, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Caroline Morse and her husband, Matthew of Wetumpka, Alabama; Kristopher Nelson and his wife Karli of Groves, Texas; Allison Drake and her husband, Joseph of Auburn, Alabama; Joshua Nelson and his wife, Kimberly of Groves, Texas; and Jayce Nelson of Beaumont, Texas. Rev. Bradford also was blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Kamden Nelson, Wynton Drake, Griffin Morse, Emmy Drake, Brayden Nelson, Kohen Nelson, and Chandler Morse. Rev. Bradford is also survived by one brother, Boyd L. Bradford of West Virginia.

Rev. Bradford began his ministry at age 21 and was graduated from the University of Corpus Christi, Texas and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the First Baptist Church, Port Arthur, Texas. In his over 50 years of ministry, Rev. Bradford served as pastor for the First Baptist Church, Lingleville, Texas; West End Baptist Church, Saratoga, Texas; Central Baptist Church, Beaumont, Texas; First Baptist Church of Loeb, Lumberton, Texas; and Hartburg Baptist Church, Deweyville, Texas. Rev. Bradford also served as a Chaplain for the Baptist Hospital system in Orange and Beaumont. Rev. Bradford was also a 32nd Degree Mason in the Port Arthur Lodge #1264 AF&AM Masonic Lodge and was in good standing at the time of his death.

Rev. Bradford declared the greatness, grace, and mercy of our God faithfully throughout his life and ministry. He proclaimed that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone and was faithful to his Lord, his family, and to Christ’s church. Rev. Bradford is now experiencing the fullness of the Gospel he proclaimed.

A Home Going Celebration will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Procter Baptist Church, 4401 Jimmy Johnson Blvd in Port Arthur beginning at 3:00 p.m. A time of visitation with the family will begin at 2:00 in the Sanctuary of the church. Entombment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.