Thomas Bradley

Thomas E. Bradley, 81, of Pensacola, FL, passed peacefully in his sleep May 19, 2024, culminating a life of service to his country, family and his faith. Tom was born January 19, 1943, in Creston, IA, the son of the late Hubert and Bernardine Baker Bradley of Kent, IA. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, the former Deborah C. Roeder of Afton, IA. They were blessed with four children. Tom was raised on a small family farm near Kent, IA, and began his education in a one-room country school house. He went on to graduate Lenox High School in 1961. Tom excelled in football and track. He was captain of the Lenox all-conference football team and placed individually at the state championship track meet in the one-mile. On the football field, he was nicknamed “The Li’l Hurricane.” During his high school summers, Tom worked as a farmhand for local farmers, Jim and Marilyn Rychnovsky. Tom earned a football scholarship to Highland Junior College in Highland, KS, and earned his associates degree in 1963. Tom then worked for Lencor manufacturing in Lennox, IA, to earn money to go back to college. To avoid the certainty of being drafted, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy June 8, 1966, and served his country honorably for the next 27.5 years as a cryptologic technician (maintenance branch). His first assignment was aboard the USS Liberty (AGTR-5). He survived an attack on the ship June 8, 1967, that killed 34 of his ship mates and wounded 174. Tom went on to serve at duty stations across the globe and was always fortunate to have his family with him. Chronologically, Tom was stationed in: Morocco; Treasure Island, CA; Pensacola, FL; Adak, AK; Winter Harbor, ME; Scotland; back to Adak; and then back to Pensacola. His career goal was to become a command master chief. He accomplished that goal twice serving as the command Master chief of his final two duty stations. He retired January 1, 1992. In retirement, Tom did not stop working. He used his GI Bill to complete his education. He graduated with honors in 1995 from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in math and science. Tom began teaching in Pensacola but always yearned to return to his Iowa roots. In 1997 he made good on that dream accepting a position teaching math and science at the middle and high-school level in Lenox, IA. Tom also coached the consistently successful high school golf team. Loved and revered by his students, Tom was awarded the “Favorite Teacher Certificate” in 2007 by the governor of Iowa. Tom retired from teaching in 2008. In full retirement, Tom enjoyed golf, cherishing most the rounds he played with family. Tom also spent much of his retirement time keeping up the Bradley family farm for his own children, grandchildren and entire family to enjoy. Tom is survived by his wife, Debbie, and sons Scott (Rachel) Bradley of Molino, FL; Mark (Anna Shiver) Bradley of Pensacola, Fl; Troy (Samantha) Bradley of Cantonment, FL. Tom also has 17 grandchildren: Caze (Ashley), Kay-Lee, Samuel, Tyler (Shae), Makayla, Jack, Jase, Jenna, Noah, Sophia, Payton, Charlotte, Parker, Aria and Skylar. One of 10 children, Tom is survived by sister-in-law Betty Bradley of Creston, IA; Theresa (Ken) Luce of Oakley, KS; sister-in-law Jorja Bradley of Davenport, IA; Anita (Paul) Longfellow of Lenox, IA; Donald (Sandy) Bradley of Kansas City, MO; Linda (Mike) Beaman of Johnston, IA, Rose (Gary) Sucher of Blair, NE; Patrick (Terri) Bradley of Warrensburg, MO; and Michael (Vicky) Bradley of Osceola, IA. In addition to his parents, Tom is preceded in death by his daughter Annette Marie Bradley, grandson Axel Jaxon Bradley and brothers Hub Bradley Jr. and Harry Bradley. Visitation is June 7, 5-7 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lenox, IA, with Rosary to follow. There will be Funeral Mass at Saint Patrick’s June, 8, at 10:30 a.m. There will be a final burial service with full military honors at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida on June 12, 2024. at 2:30pm. A memorial donation donation in honor of Thomas Bradley may be made to: USS Liberty Veterans Association, P. O. Box 3000, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 or St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 600 W. Michigan Street, Lenox, IA 50851

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Thomas Bradley

January 19, 1943 - May 19, 2024