Kenneth H. Bradford

Kenneth Bradford was born to Norman Lincoln Bradford and Elva “May” Wright Bradford in Winfield, KS.

He joined the Navy in January 1949 and served until August 1951. He served on four ships. The USS J R Craig was the ship where he spent most of his service.

Kenneth married Shirley Jean Kennedy May 29, 1953. He was married to her for almost 46 years, until her death May 16, 1999.

Kenneth was married to Miriam Jo Martin Buttel from August 24, 2012 until his death. They attended Woodland Lakes Community Church.

Kenneth worked for Southwestern Bell for 30 years until his retirement in September 1982. He did a number of different jobs for Bell. He also drove a school bus for Rose Hill School district for a few years, after his retirement from Bell.

Kenneth was a member of the Masons and the Midian Shrine. He was a member of the Camel Herders and was a member of the Hospital Van unit. He joined the unit when it was formed. He loved taking children and their parents to and from the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis for many years.

Kenneth enjoyed traveling. He also enjoyed just driving around. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. And later, after marrying Miriam Jo, he also enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. His bonus children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Shirley, his sisters Dorothy Robinson Hicks, Madaline Bradford, Joyce Sultz, Beverly Fortner, Norma Bradford, and his grandson, Nicholas Alan Bradford.

Survivors include his wife, Miriam Jo, daughters Kathy (Mike) Conley and Patty (Dan) Ochs, his son Brad (Cindy) Bradford, bonus children Lee (Rhonda) Buttel, Bill Buttel, LaVonna (Ron) Unruh, Jerry (Deborah) Buttel, David Buttel, Cindy (Jim) Koerner, 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, bonus 13 grandchildren, 29 bonus great-grandchildren.

Visitation 2-5pm Monday, August 22, with services 2pm Tuesday, August 23, all at Smith Mortuary in Derby, followed by interment in Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorials are established with the Woodland Lakes Community Church, and the Midian Shrine Hospital Van Unit.