Roger Eden "Skip" Bradley Jr.

Skip was born on February 9, 1957 in Atlanta, Georgia to Roger Eden Bradley, Sr. and Diana Janice Venable. He graduated from Jonesboro Senior High School in 1975 and attended the University of Georgia. After moving to Houston, Texas, Skip worked as an appraiser for Plant & Machinery, Inc., and then founded his own company, Bradley Machinery and Valuation.

Skip married Jan Walton Bradley, his high school sweetheart, in 1986. In 1992, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Rebekah. A year later, in 1993, they were blessed with a second daughter, Rachael. In 2004 and 2006 honorary daughter’s Anntoinette and Astrid joined the family. His daughters remember him as a hardworking and loving father who never stopped making them laugh and a dad who always opened their home to anyone in need.

Skip was a charismatic jokester who could have a room full of strangers rapt with attention at his storytelling. He valued good times with family and friends above all and was always willing to help a friend in need. He loved motorcycle and auto racing, classic cars, football, music, coffee, and his beloved pet cats and dogs. He was an active and dedicated member of Fair Haven United Methodist Church.

Skip is preceded in death by maternal grandparents John and Louise Venable, paternal grandparents Guy Bradley and Doris Wilson, father-in-law Cliff Walton, Jr., and mother-in-law Dorothy Hawkins Walton. Skip is survived by his wife Jan Walton Bradley of Houston, Texas, daughters Rebekah and Rachael Bradley of Houston, Texas, his father Roger Bradley, Sr. and wife Brenda of Thomaston, Georgia, mother Diana Bates of Highlands, North Carolina, brother Kirk Bradley and wife Terri of Cumming, Georgia, and sister Debbie Bray and husband Scott of Thomaston, Georgia.

A memorial service to celebrate Skip’s life was scheduled on his birthday, Monday, February 9, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Fair Haven United Methodist Church 1330 Gessner Drive Houston, Texas. Reverend Robert "Bob" Luton officiated the ceremony. Skip’s ashes will be spread at his favorite race tracks, including Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Laguna Seca Raceway.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Fair Haven Youth Program or to the Fair Haven Food Pantry at 1330 Gessner Dr. in Houston, TX 77055, (713) 468-3276.

The family would like to thank the staff at Plantation Personal Care Home in Missouri City, Texas for their dedicated caregiving in Skip’s final months, and especially Casey for the friendly companionship he provided.