John P. Bradshaw

John Patton Lafayette Bradshaw was born on April 15, 1928 in Chandler, Oklahoma to his late parents Clifford and Martha Christina Bradshaw. He grew up helping his father on his farm with his siblings Charles Bradshaw (deceased), Gladys Ervin, Janise Greenroyd and Robert Bradshaw (wife, Charlie). John enlisted in the military at the age of 18. As Fireman First Class in the United States Navy, John was a proud veteran of World War II serving upon the USS Whiteside and earning his American Area WWII Victory Medal. His son, Kevin, remembers stories of John and his Navy buddies practicing shooting aboard the ship and “couldn’t hit the broad side of the barn”. After John’s time in the Navy, he attended and graduated from Central State College in Edmund, Oklahoma with his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1951.

With his skills and knowledge, he began working at Philips Petroleum in Oklahoma, moved to Trans-Western Pipeline in Houston, Texas where he met his wife of 52 years, Barbara Sue. He retired from Fluor Corporation after 30+ years of service where he worked as a structural design supervisor and taught drafting classes. John also lived and worked abroad in Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico and Canada. He was also a mason and member of the Park Place Masonic Lodge.

John was blessed with four wonderful children, Debbie Winkelmann, Dawn Bradshaw, Kevin Bradshaw (wife, Yvonne) and John Earl “Jay” Bradshaw (wife, Tammy) and devoted his life to them. His children remember John waking them up before 8 on the weekends and making the best homemade biscuits and gravy. John was all-around a great cook and even better eater. He loved making egg-nog at Christmas, but really enjoyed a great pizza or a big bowl of ice cream.

John’s life continued to grow with the wonderful addition of 13 grandchildren, Brooks Bradshaw (deceased, wife Holly), Jayme Winkelmann, Joshua Winkelmann, Zachary Winkelmann, Paige Braun, Stephanie Bradshaw, Natalee Hilburn (husband, Josh), Lisa Izzo, Joseph Izzo, Katie Campbell (husband, Terry), J.J. Bradshaw (wife, Erin) , MacKenzie Bradshaw and Cody Bradshaw. His grandchildren adored the time at the lake house learning how to hand feed the deer and the many, many home remedies he mixed up when they were sick.

John had 16 great-grandchildren- Hayden, Mackenen, Keylan, Paighten, Elizabeth, Jessica, Kaitlyn, Tyler, Whitney, Caleb, Sydney, Annie, Lily, Avery, A.J., Abigail.

John had many hobbies including fishing and hunting. He spent many weekends at the San Bernard River with his sons and mother-in-law and hunting all throughout the country and Canada. John loved the water, whether that be spending it on his pontoon boat, shores of Lake Tinkiller or aboard a cruise with his wife. He was a wonderful gunsmith and was life member of the NRA. John stayed active his entire life playing on co-ed volleyball and softball teams, playing horseshoes and exercising. In addition, John was an excellent boxer when he was in the Navy and during his college year. After retirement, John spent hours piddling in his garage.

John passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on January 29th, 2015 surrounded by loved ones.

John will be remembered for his love. He was a man with the least amount of words yet that could say so much. Visitation was held at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston, on Friday, January 30th from 6-8 PM, where funeral services were held in the chapel at 9 AM on Saturday, January 31st with graveside services directly following at Woodlawn Garden of Memories.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Alzheimer’s Association of Houston were asked to be made in John’s honor.