John Bryan Bradley, Sr.

AIKEN, SC - John Bryan Bradley, Sr. beloved son, husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 at the age of 88 at Aiken Regional Hospital, in Aiken, South Carolina following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Mr. Bradley was born April 13, 1928 in Mound, Louisiana to Dr. George H. Bradley and Nancy McMurry Bradley. He was a graduate of North Fulton High School in Atlanta, Georgia in 1947 and then attended Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Tech, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He graduated with a degree in Chemistry in 1951. During his senior year, he met the love of his life, Emily Jane Fraser, of Atlanta, GA, with whom he spent the next 60 years. He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1951 and served during the Korean Conflict at San Marcus AFB, Texas, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and New Port News and Fort Eustis, Virginia. He was initially assigned to the Chemical Corp. but then was accepted to Army Aviation where his passion for flying took off and continued to serve in the Army’s Transportation Corp until discharged from active duty in 1955. Following his tenure in the Army, he continued his service as a pilot with the Georgia Air National Guard. After serving in the United States Army, Mr. Bradley began his long career in the Pulp and Paper Industry beginning with Georgia Kraft in Macon and Rome, Georgia and quickly rose through the ranks to serve as the first plant manager of Alabama Kraft a division of Georgia Kraft (now Westrock) Cottonton, Alabama. His career continued with plant manager positions at The Brown Company, Berlin, New Hampshire, Willamette Industries, Natchitoches, Louisiana, and Jackson Paper, Sylva, North Carolina. In the latter stages of his career, he worked as a Chemical Testing Consultant across Louisiana and Texas and enjoyed flying for the U.S. Forest Service and others upon request. Mr. Bradley finally retired and hung up his wings in 2010 at the early age of 81. Mr. Bradley was fortunate to pursue his passion of flying and traveling with alongside his wife, Jane. Enjoying life to its fullest with his love for boating, hunting and fishing. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches, Louisiana and went on several mission trips in South Louisiana, Haiti and Costa Rica. Mr. Bradley was preceded in death by his loving wife Jane Fraser Bradley, son Frederick Carl Bradley, brother George H. Bradley Jr., grandson Preston Thomas Smyth, and parents Dr. George H. Bradley and Nancy McMurry Bradley. He is survived by son John Bryan Bradley Jr. and wife Darlynn Bradley (Augusta, GA); daughter Dr. Jayni Bradley Thomas and husband Steve Thomas (Watkinsville, GA); daughter Elizabeth Faye Bradley Smyth (Columbus, GA); and daughter Julea Bradley Hovey (Aiken, SC). Mr. Bradley is also survived by grandchildren John Bryan Bradley III, Mary Catherine Bradley Nalbach, Bradley Steven Thomas, James Erskine Thomas, Emily Louise Thomas, Peyton Fraser Smyth, and Cullen Edward Hovey and numerous nieces and nephews and their children that he loved greatly. The family would like to extend our deep appreciation for Dad's personal caregivers in Aiken to Rescare Homecare, Agape Hospice, and Regency Hospice, and especially for care and relationship with Sam Griffin and Melvin Thomas.Funeral Services to be held Saturday, February 25th at 1:00 pm CST at the Jernigan Methodist Church, 2288 Hwy 165, Jernigan, Alabama (just south of Cottonton) with burial in the family cemetery at the Church, alongside his wife, son, and grandson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Mr. Bradley’s memory to the Jernigan Methodist Church, 2271 Hwy 165, Jernigan, AL 36027. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Bryan Bradley, Sr., please visit our flower store.