June R. Bradley

Bradley, June Riddell, January 2, 1936 – November 9, 2013. June “June Bug” Bradley, beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, patriot and friend passed away peacefully in her home at Emeritus in Brea, California on Saturday morning November 9th. June died from respiratory failure after courageously battling a number of health challenges in recent years.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, June was raised with her sister Joyce by their dear mother Louise Hearn Hunt in the College Park area of Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating from College Park High School in 1954, June married Jim “Jimmy” Bradley in 1956 and proudly took on the adventures of being an Air Force Officer’s wife and confidant. They bought their first home and had their first child in 1957 in Tampa, Florida while stationed at MacDill Air Force Base. Although they divorced in 1986 after 30 years of marriage, they remained lifelong companions until Jim’s passing in 2009.

June Bug was an unforgettable character who brought laughter and a zest for life to everything she did. Most folks called her simply “Bug,” and her personal brand was unique and unmistakable. She was also a stunningly beautiful Southern woman and was elected in an Atlanta wide contest to be Miss Scarlett O’Hara at Loews Grand Theater’s anniversary showing of Gone With The Wind in 1954 when she was just 18. She was a lifelong fan of film and celebrity, attending the Academy Awards Red Carpet ceremonies more than once and recording her picks for award winners for decades.

June was an avid traveler and adventurer, completing her trek to all seven continents by cruising to Antarctica in 2002. She loved to travel and see the world and chronicled her travels with words and pictures in meticulously maintained journals that survive her, along with an extensive collection of mini flags from every state and country she visited.

June was a driven and proud military wife, ruling the roost while Jim was away on US Air Force active duty. She will be remembered by many as the “in control” strong southern woman who famously sat in her folding lawn chair to inventory furniture and moving boxes from the front yard of each new house, in each new state as the family moved from one military assignment to the next. She developed a love for interior design as she nested each new home to provide a comfortable and loving environment for her family. She also worked for many years at Robinsons Department Store near her family home in Huntington Beach, California where she lived for more than 25 years. June also lived in the Lake Elsinore community for many years where she owned a beautiful home and enjoyed her mountain views.

June was a staunch patriot and loved celebrating US history and holidays. Upon moving to Upper Marlboro, Maryland near the nation’s capital in 1968 for a four-year assignment at Andrews Air Force Base, she dressed her children in pilgrim outfits to greet her parents visiting her new home. She also visited most of the US Presidential Libraries in her travels around the United States.

Throughout her life June was an outstanding cook, skillfully carrying on the proud traditions of “southern cookin” passed down from previous generations of the Banks and Miller families of Atlanta. Her Grandmother’s (Big Mamma’s) recipe for baked mac n’ cheese is famous to this day as her children and grandchildren share this dish with their friends and family.

After the birth of her first grandchild in 1986, June chose the nickname "Grandy." She is survived by her loving sister Joyce Hearn of Kansas City, her three children and their spouses, Julie and Tony Peluso of Orlando, FL, Jay and Debra Bradley of Sonoma, CA, Janet and David Melanson of Brea, CA, and by her eight beloved grandchildren, Nicholas, Michael, Christopher, Stephanie, Morgan, Kimber, Kara, and Molly.

Grandy was wise beyond her years, leaving this earth after giving more love than she ever took, and with the intense love and respect from all who knew her. Your life was a fascinating journey June Bug, and you will be in our hearts forever!

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. James Huang and his staff, and to the caregivers at Emeritus Assisted Living in Brea that provided June with loving care and comfort.

A celebration of life gathering and memorial service was held on Saturday, November 23rd at 2:00 PM at the Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary in Corona del Mar, California.