Donald Edward Bradley

Donald Edward Bradley celebrated his 97th birthday on June 8 of this year, the same day he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a Deacon. Dad passed away peacefully at home on September 16, 2025. His long life was a blessed journey, and a spirited adventure for all who knew him. He brought a smile to many a face, wept many a heartfelt tear, sang many an Irish tune and caused all those around him to shine in the light of his love.

He is grieved enormously by his entire family; his children, Duane Michael (Catherine White-Swan), Donald Edward Bradley Jr., Linda Sue Abbott (Chuck), Melissa Ann Martin (Deacon Terry), and Michael Howard Bradley, along with “adopted” son Antonio Figueroa Varas; his grandchildren, Sean David, Jaki, David, Shannon, Megan, James, Sarah, Erin, Charles, and Mo; his great-grandchildren, Bradley, Kelli, Austin, Katie, Tyler, Lilly, Jameson, Ethan, Annie, Maggie, Claire, Malloree; and the entire community of love he grew around himself over his 55 years in Houston, especially the lifelong friends at Saint Cecilia’s Catholic Church Community. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 65 years, Lilly, and his youngest child, David Robert.

Don was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, the second of seven children born to Howard Edwin and Annie Elizabeth Bradley (nee Doherty) and is survived by his youngest brother, Monsignor Edward Bradley of New Jersey. He is predeceased by his brothers Howard, Robert and Richard, and his sisters Joan and Doris.

He attended St. Aloysius High School, received his B.S. degree in 1956 from Saint Peters College in Jersey City and his Bachelor of Theology degree in 1976 from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, which resulted from his ordination to the Diaconate of the Catholic Church in 1975.

He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1946 and served as a Rifleman and Military Police officer until his Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps Reserves in 1952.

His nearly 40 year career with Shell Oil took him – and his growing, young family - across the country and around the world, where he spent several years working in Saudi Arabia on Shell’s behalf. He was an early adopter to the nascent 1960’s computer revolution, learned COBOL programming language, and advanced over his long Shell career from entry-level janitor to painter thru programmer to systems analyst to senior vice-president.

He visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, with the love of his life “Miss Lilly” thereby fulfilling the promise demanded by her before she would say “yes” to his proposal.

He was a member of the St. Cecilia Catholic Community since arriving in Houston in 1970, where he served as Deacon for over 50 years and the St. Francis of Assisi Family Guild.

There will be a Vigil Service on Tuesday evening, September 23, from 6-8 p.m. and a Funeral Mass on Wednesday morning, September 24, at 10:30am. The family suggests you consider wearing your favorite shade of green. Both services will be held at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive, Houston, TX 77024. A reception will be held in the parish community center following the Mass. Interment will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. The Mass will be live-streamed via the St. Cecilia Church website, www.saintcecilia.org.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their love and prayers over these last seven years since Miss Lilly’s passing. In particular we deeply appreciate the constant care and unceasing love given to Dad by his son and primary caregiver, Mike, for which we will all be eternally grateful. Thank you, Mike.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org; St. Labre Indian School, www.stlabre.org; or the charity of your choice.

Dad, Deacon Don, We Love You! God Bless You! Always!