John Bradford

January 29, 1932—August 6, 2013

Born January 29, 1932, in Williams, Arizona. John Bradford was the son of John and Mamie Bradford, the lone son with four sisters. His family never called him by his given name, instead he was always known as “Buddy”. He was born into a family of modest means and spoke of growing up with a wood burning stove and an outhouse. His first experience with indoor “facilities” came at 10 years old when his parents acquired a boarding house. His excitement was tempered when he realized he would be sharing the lone bathroom with the other tenants.

Among the boarders his parents took in were a pair of Mormon missionaries. His introduction to them and the LDS church began a long history of commitment and service.

His family moved to Flagstaff Arizona where he spent his formative years. The Korean conflict was ramping up when he was finishing high school. John and some friends decided to join the service preemptively rather than wait to be drafted. He chose to join the Navy. When asked why he chose that branch of the service for his multi-year commitment he said, “I’d probably have a bed to sleep in every night and I heard they had good chow.”

His time in the service took him to Hawaii and ultimately to San Diego. His job was that of a dental technician. He enjoyed his work and started taking night classes at City College with the idea of someday applying to dental school. His dental dreams were furthered when he started dating the daughter of a local dentist. He finished his time in the Navy and was accepted to the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco where he began his dental training. He was also accepted into the family of the local dentist when he married Margot Westwood (1956-1983). He was a distinguished student, receiving honors from various dental student organizations and finishing at the top of his class. He graduated from dental school in 1959.

He moved to San Diego with his wife, started practice and a family. He and his father in law built a dental building together and started practicing in adjacent offices. The practice is celebrating 50 years of continuous care in the same location this year. He and his wife settled in the beach area where they raised five children and were active in church, civic and professional organizations. John was very athletic and played fast pitch softball for many years. His nickname was “Doc” and was known for his above average fastball and absolutely wicked curve. He loved biking and jogging along mission beach. He very much enjoyed snow skiing and took his family on many great ski vacations.

John is survived by his five children: Victoria, Mimi (Kevin) Sayer, John (Kendra), Matthew and Joanna, all of whom live in the San Diego area. With 15 grandchildren -- Ali El Wardani, Bradford (Tracy) Sayer, Erick (Megan) Sayer, Adam (Elizabeth) Sayer, Michael Sayer, Max Sayer, Alex Bradford, Chloe Bradford, Willem Bradford, Kenny Bradford, Zachary Kunz, Gavin Kunz and Nathan Kunz -- and 3 great-grandchildren (Justin, Emmy and Avery Sayer), family parties were filled with citrus baseball and other adventures.

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John was in charge of organizing blood drives along with countless extra curricular church sponsored educational events. He was active in local dental study groups and spent time organizing and presenting continuing education seminars. His love of learning extended to his children, all of whom he sent to college.

John was active in 12 step recovery groups. He worked as a volunteer facilitator at the McDonald center for many years and served on the well being committee of the local dental society. He attended many national and international recovery conferences, bringing his children to share in the hope and experience.

He was a collector of Native American art, a shooting sports enthusiast and became an advocate for animal shelters due to his beloved cat Cleopatra. He treated many generations of many families. He was known for his high standard of care and not pulling any punches when telling patients of their dental needs. Dr. Bradford did not suffer inferior dental work gladly, so to speak. He took great pride in his profession. Great dentistry was not what John Bradford did; it’s who he was. He loved his work and it showed.

More recently he took annual trips to Europe and back home to Flagstaff. He loved travel, going to movies and good food. He would make amends when in error but never apologized for whom he was. Few were ever in doubt of where they stood with John Bradford. He leaves a legacy of excellent work and caring relationships. He will be missed.

"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

I. Newton