Doyle Kimsey Bradley

Born November 2, 1932, in the Sanford community of Madison County, Doyle was the son of the late Christopher “Cliff” and Bessie Bradley. He attended public school in Sanford and in Athens.

Doyle enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17, on July 13, 1950, and qualified as a paratrooper in January 1951. He served with the 187th Airborne RCT "A" Company from April 1, 1951, to October 1952. During that time, he was involved in combat operation at bloody Inji, chasing Chinese Reds north, and Koji-Do prisoner of war camp where "A" Company suffered 11 wounded and one killed while smashing compound 76 to quell communist POW riots. He also served at Kumwha, Korea (MLR) until rotating back to Japan. When he left the 187th, he received a Letter of Commendation from "A" Company Commander for his service in Korea.

Upon arriving at Fort Bragg, NC 82nd Airborne Division Processing Center, Doyle was selected by the Division Sergeant Major to march in the inaugural parade for President Eisenhower and assigned to “A” Company, 325 Airborne Regiment. He recalled the trip as a heart-warming experience, especially the transportation and quarters. He rode to Washington DC in the back of a 2 1/2-ton truck and his living quarters were a tent in one of the parks. While serving with the 82nd Airborne, he was promoted to Sergeant First Class (E-6) at the age of 20, and with less than three years of service.

Leaving the Army in July 1953, he joined the United States Air Force and selected the Law Enforcement career field and served in that field for 22 years. During that time, he worked his way up from Patrolman to Superintendent and was promoted to Senior Master Sergeant. Highlights of his career included working for several years as an Air Force Security Police Investigator and performing courier (top secret) service in Europe and North Africa during the Cold War (1959-61). He served two tours in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era and was awarded three Distinguished Service Medals, the Army Combat Infantry Badge, Paratrooper Wings and various campaign and service medals. He retired from the military service in July 1975 as a Special Disabled Veteran.

Doyle was hired by the State of Colorado Department of Labor in 1975 as a Veterans Representative. During his first four years of employment by the Department of Labor, he attended college, taking night classes in Business Administration. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with a 3.2 GPA in 1979 and retired from the State of Colorado in May 1993.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Freda Huff Bradley; son, Kim Bradley; and granddaughter, Brandi Wilhelm. He married his wife, Toula, in 2007, loved traveling the world, and was a member of Princeton United Methodist Church.

In addition to his wife, Toula Cofer Bradley, Doyle is survived by daughters: Sherry (Tony) Warrington and Kathy (David) VanSlyke; grandchildren: Shane Warrington, Tara Ochoa, Tanya Barrett; and great-grandchildren: Morgan Warrington, Zane Warrington, Ariel Thrasher, Mikayla Thrasher, Kayleigh Anderson, David Wilhelm III, Laila Barrett and Lane Barrett; and great-great grandchildren: Henry Anderson and Maggie Anderson.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 4, at 2:00 p.m., in Evergreen Memorial Park with Rev. Montana Hamby officiating. Military funeral honors will be rendered by the United States Air Force.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.