Samuel M. Bradley

Sam is survived by his wife, Fiona Druy; his children, Matthew and Kathryn (Kwame); his stepchildren, Alex, Sarah, and Elizabeth (Will); and his grandchildren and step-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, McKay and Evelyn Bradley; his sister, Kay; and his first wife, Barbara.

Born in Hickory, North Carolina, Sam spent most of his life in Arlington, Virginia. He graduated from Yorktown High School and earned degrees from Duke University and the University of Virginia School of Law. A man of deep faith, he also studied at Yale Divinity School as a Rockefeller Fellow.

Sam served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a first lieutenant at Fort Gordon, Georgia and Fort Monroe, Virginia, from 1972 to 1973. He received the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.

Sam met his first wife, Barbara Hynes, while they were both working on the White House Conference on Children and Youth in the 1970s. They married in 1977 and remained devoted to one another until her death from cancer in 1998. Both spent their careers at the U.S. Department of Energy, where Sam served as a respected attorney. He retired in 2006 as Deputy General Counsel for National and International Security.

Retirement marked the beginning of another chapter of public service. Sam became a substitute teacher in Arlington Public Schools and later volunteered for almost ten years at Carlin Springs Elementary School. He gave generously of his time and often said that he wanted to give back to the community that had given him so much.

Sam met Fiona in 2000 while volunteering at the concession stand during basketball games in which their daughters played. Their relationship and marriage brought renewed joy and an expanded family that Sam embraced wholeheartedly. He cherished Fiona’s children and grandchildren as his own and was a steady source of wisdom whose thoughtful advice helped guide those he loved through life’s challenges. Together, Fiona and Sam spent many happy years traveling, cheering on their children and grandchildren, and enjoying a life rich in connection and purpose.

Sam loved engaging in spirited political debates—an enduring passion throughout his life. Those who knew him will remember the handwritten notes that covered his home—reminders, ideas, and observations. He delighted in clipping newspaper articles he thought Matthew and Kathryn should read, attaching a note with both of their names and a little box beside each name to check off once they had finished reading it. It was a small ritual that reflected his curiosity, his love of learning, and his delight in sharing both with those he loved.

Sam will be remembered for his compassion, intellectual curiosity, devotion to family, deep faith, and lifelong commitment to public service.

The family gathered privately to celebrate Sam’s life. Information concerning a larger celebration of life will be shared separately.

The family is grateful for the compassionate care provided by the staff at The Sylvestery at Vinson Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund or another charity of your choice.