SKANDIA, Mich. - Stuart W. Bradford, Jr., 70, of Skandia, died Tuesday morning, July 10, 2012, at his home, surrounded by family and under the care of UP Home Health & Hospice.
He was born August 18, 1941, in Saginaw, Michigan, a son of the late Stuart W. and Gladys (Betts) Bradford, Sr. On July 31, 1965, he married the former Sally Sanford in Huntingdon, England.
Stuart earned a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma and also later attended Northern Michigan University.
He spent his career in the U.S. Air Force as a meteorologist. He was a Vietnam veteran and retired in 1982 as a Captain. Following his retirement, Stuart worked as a weather observer at K.I. Sawyer; a salesman at Riverside Auto and BSA of Marquette; was a loan officer and branch manager at First of America Bank; and also taught at the Gwinn Schools as a substitute teacher.
He was a member of Gwinn United Methodist Church and their choir, the Forsyth Singers, Gwinn Kiwanis, Gwinn Lyons Club and the Superior Emmaus Society.
Stuart was a car enthusiast and enjoyed sailing on his sailboats.
He is survived by his wife, Sally Bradford of Skandia; sons, Richard (Christy) Bradford of Longs, SC and Douglas Bradford of Skandia; grandchildren, Sarah Faith, Ricky, Brandon and Violet Rose Bradford, Evan Stanley and Payton Michael Wetherington; brother, William (Sundae) Bradford of Redmond, WA; and nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Gwinn United Methodist Church with the Rev. Geri Hamlen officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service in the church.
Memorial contributions can be made to the United Methodist Youth Activity Fund.
The Canale-Gwinn Funeral Home is assisting the family where memories may be shared at www.canalefuneral.com