Norman Glen Bradford

September 14, 1924 – April 1, 2010

Norman Glen Bradford of Le Grand, California was born in Shirley, Arkansas, on September 14, 1924, and passed away on April 1, 2010, at his home with his family by his side. Norman first came to California to work in 1940 but soon joined the Navy in June of 1941 with the outbreak of WWII. He served nearly three years in the Pacific front during WWII, being assigned to the USS Prometheus. He was honorably discharged December 5, 1945. He then returned to California and went to work for Fred Anderson in the Merced area. He married Audrey Mae Holland, of Damascus, Arkansas, on June 15, 1946 in Reno. They first lived in Merced and then moved to Le Grand in 1951. Norman continued to work on the Anderson ranch and soon became foreman. In 1956 Norman purchased his first small farm near Planada, and he eventually bought much of the Anderson ranch as Fred grew older in age. In 1981 Norman and his oldest son Glen, purchased the last portion of the Anderson ranch in Le Grand and started the Bradford Farms. Together they farmed almonds and continued the Anderson genetic plant breeding business, introducing and patenting over 150 varieties of nectarines, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries and almonds. Upon Norman’s retirement in 2008, they were farming 420 acres of almonds, plums and plant breeding.

Norman and Audrey celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in 2009, a marriage blessed with 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. The children and their spouses are; Dolores Jean (Bradford) Clinton and Don Clinton, Lowell Glen Bradford and Mary Lea (Fries) Bradford, Gregory Dalton Bradford and Cynthia (Crowley) Bradford.

The grandchildren from Dolores are Leann Clinton Janzen, Lorie Clinton Lazo, and Don Clinton Jr., all of Le Grand. The grandchildren from Glen are Jennifer Bradford of Irvin, California, Cathy Cole of Merced, Diane Giardine of Montezuma, Kansas, and Alison Quisenberry of Merced. The grandchildren from Greg are Rachel Roupe and Rebekah Bradford of Seattle, Washington.

The great grandchildren are Christopher Gonzales, Justin Gonzales, Perry James Lazo, Alyssa Kibbie, Jordan Kibbie, Chante Clinton, Isaiah Clinton, Eli Clinton, Caitlyn Cole, Cali Cole, Emma Ann Quisenberry, and Hayden Deborah Quisenberry.

In addition to Audrey and his immediate family, Norman is survived by the following brothers and sisters; Genice Lane, Rita Noack, Jerry Grissom, Bonnie Keathley, Sue Byrd, Joann McMillen, Catherine Olbricht, Reba Wessells, and Nancy Pierce, all of Arkansas. Also, Norman is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Norman lived a very blessed and happy life. He defended our freedom during WWII, had a wonderful marriage and family, enjoyed his passion of farming his entire working life, shared the love of God in Christ, and wore his trademark smile almost always.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 5, 2010, at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The Graveside Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at Plainsburg Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations please be made to Le Grand Bible Christian Church, P.O. Box 259, Le Grand, California 95333.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.