Rick S Bradley

His immediate family consisted of: parents, Dick and Martha (known to all as Lady) Bradley; 3 sisters, ID (idella), Ann and Carlene and 1 brother, Ed; maternal grandmother Mae Brooks and paternal grandparents Charles and Dorothy Bradley. Because Rick was 8 years younger than his closet sister, during his early years he was loved as the baby, played with as a toy, and tolerated as a tag along depending on the situation.

Rick's extended family was quite large. His grandmother Mae Brooks lived with three of her sisters in their original home on Elm Hill Pike which was frequently visited by Rick's great uncles and aunts as well as their extended families. His grandfather and grandmother Bradley lived in a lake front home on Old Hickory Lake where many family gatherings were enjoyed with Uncle Pip and Aunt Patty's families. Each Sunday, when Rick was a child, was spent visiting at one or the other grandparents homes.

Rick's home was in a lovely subdivision in Donelson, which is a suburb of Nashville. He had a large yard to play in and safe neighborhood streets on which he would later ride his bicycle and eventually his moped. Rick enjoyed playing out in the yard, riding his big wheel, playing on the swing set, sliding down the wet slip-n-slide on a slope in the backyard. In the winter time he enjoyed comic books, having snowball fights and sledding.

Rick seemed to have a special way with animals and when he was 3 or 4 years old he caught a young field mouse in his bare hands. It was a real surprise when he opened his little hands to show his sister what he had found in the yard. When he was in elementary school he cared for a Killdeer chick he found.

Rick attended Pennington Elementary School and was a member of the Cub Scouts. He enjoyed the scout outings and the "Pinewood Derby". The car he built and raced in the derby won a first place trophy.

Like all his family, Rick attended Pennington United Methodist Church. He enjoyed Sunday School activities and vacation bible school with three of his good friends, Beth Norfleet, Sally Lasley and Brad Jones.

Rick and his family enjoyed several vacations to Flordia, where his grandparents had a winter home. The family also took many trips to Tennessee state parks for weekend outings with time to fish and roast marshmallows over a camp fire.

Rick graduated from McGavock High School in 1982. During high school he was a proud member of the award winning McGavock High School Marching and Concert Band, where he played the tuba. Rick also enjoyed bowling and a good game of darts.

Rick's first car was the family car, which was a Rambler station wagon. He had borrowed the car on at least two occasions before he should have been driving, so when he received his license, he didn't seem to mind that the car was not a sporty one. At least he had a car to drive.

Rick furthered his education at Nashville State Technical School. He ggraduated with a degree in audio and visual communication in 1984. After graduation he worked at the Marriott Hotel in Nashville as the audio visual technician. He was responsible for the presentations the hotel hosted for various groups and events. He also worked in the printing industry before he discovered his talent with computers. Rick enjoyed the challengs of computer repair and was studying the feasibility of opening his own computer repair business.

Rick's first move from his childhood home was to an apartment on Percy Priest Lake but it was not long before he had purchased a town house on Tate Court in Donelson. During this time Rick was singing with the Pennington United Methodist Church choir and a faithful member of the church softball team.

In 1998, Rick purchased his home on Woodberry Drive in Donelson. As an adult, Rick enjoyed various outlets for his creative expression, such as photography and drawing. He also enjoyed fishing and boating.

Rick liked to eat out with friends or family but he also enjoyed cooking on his grill at home. He was considered a regular at the Waffle House on Donelson Pike even thou he was one of the youngest who met regularly for coffee and conversation. He was known by name when he walked in the door there and at several other area restaurants.

Rick enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and was an encourager to many on several chat room sites. Rick was kind and respectful and seemed to enjoy the company of any age group but had a special fondness for older people. He was known by many for his quick smile, friendliness and willingness to help others.

Rick passed away on Saturday, April 9th 2011 at his home on Woodberry Drive. He was only 46 years old.

Rick was preceded in death by his Granddaddy Bradley, Grandmother Bradley, Momma Mae Brooks, Uncle Charlie Brooks, Aunt Patty Kohut and Uncle Charles Bradley.

He is survived by his father, mother, brother, three sisters, three brother's in law, one sister in law, 4 nieces, 8 nephews, 3 great nieces and 7 great nephews.

Services were held at Pennington United Methodist Church on April 14, 2011. The service was led by Revered Ray Newell with special organ music provided by his sister, Carlene Bradley Eastridge. The funeral arrangements were handled by Hibbett and Hailey Funeral Home.

Rick's body was laid to rest in the Bradley family section of the Garden of the Cross at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee..