Reuben G. "Jeff" Bradford

Former Band Director R.G. “Jeff” Bradford, 84, of Tallahassee, died peacefully on Sunday, September 19, 2010.

Mr. Bradford was the first born to R.G. and Evelyn Bradford, July 28, 1926 in Carrabelle, Florida. He graduated from Carrabelle High School in 1944, Troy State College, B.S. in 1949; and Florida State, M.S. in 1961.

His career as a band director was at Ponce de Leon High School 1949-50; Greensboro High School 1950-55; Leon County Elementary Schools 1955-59; Raa Junior High School 1957-67; Godby High School 1967-85; Coordinator of Bands, Leon County 1976-85.

Mr. Bradford served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. He played sax and clarinet in the V-J4 squadron dance band and in the Com-Air-Lant dance band (the Admiral’s own). While at Troy State he was leader of the college dance band, featuring vocalist Dot White (presently Mrs. Jeff Bradford). He played sax and clarinet with the Harry Shepard band out of Chattahoochee, and from 1955 to 1970 led the Jeff Bradford Quintet out of Tallahassee.

He was twice conductor of the South Carolina All State Junior High Band and was conductor of the Florida All State Junior High Band in 1980. One of the most memorable moments in his teaching career was serving as Music Director for Florida’s Sesquicentennial (1924-1974) Pageant. He is a past president of the Florida Bandmasters Association (1977-78), a member of the American School Band Directors Association, past president of the Omega Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, and past president of the Leon County Education Association. He was also a member of the Florida Music Educators Association and the Music Educators National Conference. To cap his career, he was inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame in 1997. And in 1998, Godby High School named its then two-year-old auditorium, the Jeff Bradford Auditorium.

During his thirty-six years as a band director he was privileged to have twenty-six Interns from the Florida State School of Music. Fourteen became band directors and five stayed in other areas of the music field. His life passion was for the thousands of students he mentored over the course of those thirty-six years, many of whom stayed in touch right up until the day of his death.

Mr. Bradford is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Dorothy; son and daughter-in-law, Will and Dawn Bradford of Tallahassee; granddaughter Peyton Bradford of Tallahassee; and nephew R. Geoffrey Bradford, III of Ft. Lauderdale. He was preceded in death by his parents, R.G. and Evelyn Bradford; and brother, Lt. James D. Bradford, USN.

Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 24, at Trinity United Methodist Church with a reception to follow at the church. Interment will be at 3:00 p.m. at Culley’s MeadowWood Memorial Park. Family will receive friends from 6 – 8 pm Thursday, September 23, 2010 at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home, Timberlane Road .

Memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Home Society of Florida, 1801 Miccosukee Commons Drive, Tallahassee, FL., 32308.

Arrangements are with Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road.