Laurence Bradley

During childhood Larry developed a scientific curiosity that blossomed when he entered Vanderbilt University in 1967. There he became particularly interested in psychology and the interactions between the brain and behavior.

Larry went on to earn his PhD in Clinical Psychology at Vanderbilt following an internship at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Bradley then taught and conducted research at Fordham University and the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University before joining the faculty of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 1989, with joint appointments in Psychology and Medicine. He ultimately became a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at UAB until his retirement in 2018.

Dr. Bradley's research, funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Arthritis Foundation, centered on subjective experiences of various dimensions of pain across cultures. He focused in particular on pain experiences in the context of several chronic disease syndromes, including irritable bowel syndrome, gastric reflux, fibromyalgia, and knee osteoarthritis. He and his colleagues used their findings to develop behavioral treatments to reduce pain and suffering. Their work was published in scores of articles in scientific journals throughout his career.

Dr. Bradley's research took him to scientific meetings around the world, where he was often an invited or keynote speaker. However, he was not all work and no play! At many of these conferences, Larry and his fellow pain researchers from around the country were invited to throw parties featuring their band, the Pain Sensations. Larry was a guitarist and, memorably, was lead singer on one song: "Johnny Be Good."

Dr. Bradley was a generous and exemplary mentor for many undergraduate and graduate students who worked in his laboratories and clinic. He took great joy in nurturing his students, most of whom have gone on to achieve distinction in their own academic and clinical careers around the United States and Canada.

In keeping with his love of fun, Larry arranged fun-filled outings for his students and colleagues, characterized by food, wine, and hilarity. Many of those outings included dining at a Japanese teppan table, followed by bowling competitions. These "sake bowls," as they came to be known, were legendary. Those who were fortunate to know Larry were drawn to his quick wit, constant smile, infectious laugh, and his sometimes outrageous stories about his college days and travels as a "Deadhead" following the Grateful Dead around the country, as well as The Rolling Stones.

Larry married Dr. Virginia Bradley (Ginger) in 2007. They enjoyed their family and friends, Thai food, snow skiing, music, and movies. Together with daughters Mallory and Rachel they traveled over the years to international meetings in Europe, Asia, and Australia, and enjoyed extended visits in many cities of interest. These excursions greatly enriched their lives.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Irving and Jean Weil Bradley of Cleveland, Ohio. He is survived by his wife Virginia Bradley; his stepdaughters Mallory (Alan) Rushing and Rachel Wadley; and his grandchildren Nate and Elaine Rushing and Jacob Wadley, all of whom reside in Birmingham. He also is survived by his devoted sister Carole Bradley Rosenberg of Cleveland, his nephew Steven (Sari) Rosenberg of Chicago, his niece Julie (Jesse) Goff of Boston, as well as his great niece Anna Rosenberg and great nephews Aidan and Gavin Goff.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the 7th of February, at Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood with burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the UAB Alzheimer's Disease Center, Vanderbilt University Scholarship Funds, the Arthritis Foundation, or an organization of one's choice.