Obituary of Bruce Bradshaw

A celebration honoring the life of former coach and school administrator Bruce Bradshaw will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 20, at London Baptist Church, New London with Reverend Mike Jeter assisted by Reverend Ken Hayman and Revered David Banks under direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton. Private burial will be in Williams Cemetery near Tyler.Mr. Bradshaw, known to most who knew him as "Coach," was born February 16, 1936 in Shelby County, the first child of Marvin and Beatrice Carroll Bradshaw. He went to be with the Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 17, 2010 in Tyler, at Hospice Homeplace.After graduating from Center High School, he enrolled at Tyler Junior College, where he was a member of the Apache football teams of 1954 and 1955. During this time, he met his future wife, Jean Rayford, in a history class. He then went to Stephen F. Austin State University where he played on the Lumberjacks football team of 1956 and 1957. He earned both Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters Degree.He and Jean were married July 20, 1957 in Tyler.Coach Bradshaw taught and coached at Wills Point, Center, Jacksonville, Sabine, Bridge City, and then West Rusk district until his retirement in 1992. After his retirement, he enjoyed his cattle, playing dominoes and spending time with his beloved grandchildren.He was a member of the London Baptist Church where he had served in several areas and on numerous committees. He had also been a member of the West Rusk School Board. He was a life member of the SFASU Alumni Association and the Lumberjack Lettermen's Association where he was honored as the first recipient of the Ted Jefferies Outstanding Football High School Coach's Award.Bradshaw was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Elwood Rayford.He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jean Rayford Bradshaw of New London; daughters and sons-in-law, Bitsy and Gary Jeffers of Dalhart, Julie and Bullet Watson of Katy and Jamie Winings of New London; grandchildren, Dylan and wife Melyssa Watson of Katy, Dalton Watson of Katy, Jordan Jeffers of Canyon, Mallory Jeffers of Dalhart, Tyler Wilks, Talon Winings and Tate Winings, all of New London; one great granddaughter, Nina Grace Watson of Katy; two brothers, Jerry and wife, Sandra Bradshaw of College Station and Bill Bradshaw of Center; his mother-in-law, Orene Rayford of Tyler; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many beloved friends.Honorary pallbearers will be all former athletes, students, coaching associates, hunting buddies, and domino friends.Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.Visitation will be Tuesday, January 19, at the London Baptist Church from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.If desired, memorials may be given to the London Baptist Church, P.O. Box 198, New London, Tx 75682 or to the Bruce Bradshaw Scholarship Fund, ? Gene Shannon, P.O. Box 145, New London, TX 75682.Special thanks to Dr. Royal Becker, Trinity Mother Frances Home Health Staff, and exceptional care-giver Gertha Moonie.