Joseph Joe Bradberry

Joseph Floyd Bradberry passed away on August 1, 2006. Joe was a pillar of strength and goodness to his family, his friends, and to the San Antonio Community. Joe had recently battled and survived two bouts of cancer preceding his death.

Joe was born on December 7, 1943, in Brewton, Alabama. He grew up with his grandparents and brother in Alabama, where he was a local football star, and achieved recognition as an All-State football player. He enrolled at Troy State, and started on the Varsity Football Team as a freshman. Joe then attended and graduated from Louisiana State University with a baccalaureate in Horticulture. During his university years, Joe began to develop his leadership abilities through being the President of the LSU College of Agriculture, President of the Horticulture Club and being actively involved in the LSU Student Government. Joe met his wife of thirty-one years, Elda K. Bradberry nee Gaspard in Louisiana, and after graduation they lived in several locales, including Panama, Virginia, and Louisiana, and during this time, they were blessed with their three children. They eventually settled in San Antonio in November 1978. San Antonio was truly the place they called home, and Joe was committed to establishing roots and forming a long-standing relationship with the city and people of San Antonio.

In San Antonio, Joe began a long and distinguished career as a leader in the horticulture industry. With the help of friends and colleagues, Joe co-founded Milberger Landscaping and eventually created Lone Star Growers, which became one of the prominent growing nurseries in the United States. Joe's passion for discovering new native plant varieties flourished during this time, as he searched the jungles of Mexico with his colleagues to introduce and propagate native plant species throughout Texas and the United States. During this time, Joe was involved in many professional organizations, including the Texas Association of Nurserymen, the American Nurserymen Association, and served as the Chairman of the Texas A&M Agriculture Development Council where he was the first non-Aggie to be appointed to this position. Joe also became involved in the establishment of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

From an early age Joe's passion, charisma, and leadership inspired others. Joe contributed time and financial support to A&M and LSU scholarship programs, SEQUOR, and several youth at risk programs. One of his most meaningful accomplishments was with the San Antonio Live Stock exposition where he had an active role in helping raise money for scholarships. In 1994, Joe became a Board Member of the Coliseum Advisory Board, and was appointed Chairman of the Board from 1999-2003. His leadership was instrumental to the building of the new AT&T Center. He remained an active Board Member until November 2005, when he resumed his duties as Chairman of the Board. His continued activism in the Coliseum Advisory Board resulted in the development of the new coliseum grounds, including his vision for the AT&T grounds and the surrounding community. Joe was instrumental in co-founding the SEQUOR Foundation for at risk children. Joe and Elda K. were proud to establish a scholarship fund at Texas A&M University, known as the Elda K. Bradberry Endowed Chair. His passion and devotion to assisting youth at risk originated from his own humble beginnings.

After the death of Joe's first wife, Elda K. Bradberry, in 1998, Joe considered himself very fortunate to find love again, and in April 2005, Joe married Yong-Suk Pong. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with family, and simply being together.

Joe is survived by his wife Yong Bradberry; five children, Michael Joseph Bradberry, Jean Elizabeth Bradberry, and Jeffrey Daniel and Faith Leeann Bradberry, Bradley Bradberry and John Sobczyk. Joe was the proud grandparent of Madeline Riley Bradberry and Keller Joseph Bradberry.

Memorial gifts can be made, in Joe's name, to one of the following in order to keep his commitment to helping others live.

Texas A&M Foundation

C/o David Wilkinson

Ms2042 Texas A&M University

College Station, TX 77843-2402

Attn: Bradberry Chair Fund #30532116

Louisiana State University Agriculture Scholarship

Attn: Joseph Bradberry Undergraduate Scholarship Fund for the LSU

Foundation

LSU College of Agriculture

Development Office

110 Agriculture Admin. Building

Baton Rouge, LA 70803