Charles Bradley
March 31, 1931 - April 10, 2014
Obituary
Charles Arthur Bradley, longtime Yellowstone County Prosecutor and quintessential Irish storyteller, died April 10, 2014. He was 83, and he passed surrounded by family and friends. Mr. Bradley was born March 31, 1931 in Butte, Montana and in the heart of the Great Depression. His father, Thomas Patrick Bradley, was a plumber for the Butte mines. His mother, Marguerite (Peoples) Bradley worked as a store clerk and nurse's aide. Mr. Bradley attended Catholic schools and was an altar boy. When he turned 18, he enlisted in the Marines and fought in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954. He married Lucille (Nichols) Bradley in 1954, and they were later divorced. Mr. Bradley received his undergraduate degree from the University of Montana. He went to law school on the GI Bill and graduated in 1958, also from University of Montana. Mr. Bradley loved the practice of law. He trained many of the Yellowstone County prosecutors until his retirement in 1995. He tried more than 50 murder cases to a successful guilty verdict. Mr. Bradley is preceded in death by his parents and his sole sibling, Thomas Lee Bradley, who had his own storied law career in Montana. Mr. Bradley is survived by his children: Patricia, Suzanne, Colleen, David, Jeanette, Evelyn and Steven (Rebecca) Bradley; seven grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, guests bring a story to share about Dad to the services. The family also wishes to thank Dad's caregiver April Jones for all her kindness and patience. Memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com Service: A Memorial Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 19 at Dahl Funeral Chapel.
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Memories
RW
Rachel & John Weber
Other •
Your father lives on in each of you. His impish smile, intersting stories and warm and caring ways. We always had the best times when we went to the Bradley's up near the rimrocks for the 4th of July and other family get togethers. I remember when Uncle chuck was here in Texas and came to visit us. We had a grand time of visiting and it was never a dull moment listening to his intersting stories. We laughed a lot and enjoyed spending the afternoon together. Most of all what I am most appreciative of is that your Dad was always so good to my mother, our family and was there for us many times over the years. Some of those wild teenage years stick out in my mind. Thank you for sharing your Dad with us. Lots of good memories that I will forever cherish in my memory book. Our prayers and thoughts are with each of the Bradley's as you go through this time of losing your Dad. We love you our dear cousins. Love & prayers, Rachel & John
NW
Niki Whearty
Other •
Dear Bradley family members, I have some very good memories of your father, especially when I was younger. I remember coming to Aunt Lucille and Uncle Chuck's apartment close to the time they were first married. Patricia was still very young and she and Marie were good playmates for each other. One afternoon, we came to visit and Uncle Chuck showed us his stack of comic books. I remember that I felt like I had been given the keys to a Treasure Room. Usually comics were something we only had a couple of copies of -- Richie Rich was one of our favorites. Donald Duck came in second. And the Classics Illustrated were ones I really enjoyed reading. I was able to read the comics he shared with us for hours, hours on end. And it was a delicious way to spend time with him. He read with us too. That is a wonderful time we shared together. Another time I remember that he gave me some drawing lessons. I had received a brand new sketchbook for a holiday. Maybe I was Christmas or maybe it was my birthday. I don't remember for sure. But Uncle Chuck said he would help me with my interest in drawing. We sat at the round table in the kitchen at the house on Edmond Street. He suggested I try to draw from another picture. He brought out a cereal box that had a picture of Huckleberry Hound on it. Showing me that we can draw from anything around us. When I started to draw I was so distracted by my thoughts about Huckleberry Hound cartoons that I had seen on television that I made a poor copy. Uncle Chuck encouraged me to turn the page of my drawing book and to look at the picture in a different way. He told me to look at the lines first, to look at the strongest lines and to try to recreate their same shape and curves. I did what he said and forgot about Huckleberry Hound. I just redrew the lines, looked at where they intersected, watched the way they built on each other. Soon I had a drawing, a fair good drawing of Huckleberry Hound in my drawing book. I think I kept that drawing for years and years. I remember coming across it from time to time and being proud of what I had done with your father's help. Uncle Chuck helped me to see things in new ways. I am sure he did the same thing for so many others too. May you enjoy the happy memories of your father. May you find comfort in knowing that members of our big extended family love you all very much. Hugs to each of your, Niki Green Whearty
RW
Richard Wynkoop
Other •
I have many fond memories of Uncle Chuck. He was kind enough to be my mentor and adviser as I was growing through my teen years. I remember learning landscaping skills from him when My cousin Mike and I were dispatched to his new home to move dirt and rocks. Later in life(16), I was a little out of control, He made a trip across town to discuss my behavior with me at my workplace. We were standing outside on a cold winter day and discussing how important my behavior would be to my future. He noticed that I had a light jacket and was shivering, Uncle Chuck took off his nice warm wool coat and gave it to me. That was typical Chuck Bradley! He was my rescuer on many occasions even when I showed up at his house late in the evening with a carload of older guys hot in pursuit (now I know I did not do anything to provoke that scenario.) Uncle Chuck quickly dispatched them and saved my day! This is only a couple of instances in my life where he came to my aid and provided guidance which I have carried throughout life. I was fortunate to have Charles Bradley in my life. May he now rest in Peace!