Keith Allen Bradley

He was first my acquaintance, then my sweetheart and fiancé. Next he became my brother in Christ, then my wonderful husband and father of our beautiful children, Andrea and Allen. He became a song leader, a Bible class teacher, then a deacon, preacher, and finally an elder at the 249 Church of Christ.

He was my hero.

Keith was born on November 10, 1955 in Houston, Texas to Bill and Joycelyn Bradley. His siblings were Glenn and Sheryl Bradley.

His parents provided a loving and supportive home that nurtured his every talent. And did he have talent!!

Keith was a born leader and a great salesman. He excelled at leading and he loved it. From school crossing guard in elementary school, to Boy Scouts where he was in charge of the cooking on the campouts. He sold more soap products door to door at age 13 than all the adults in The Swipe Corporation. He gave his first public speech at the Shamrock Hilton Hotel in downtown Houston when accepting the award for the most sales. He had to stand on a box to see over the microphone.

Keith had a beautiful, strong voice that his grandmother helped train as a young boy. He sang in the church choir, and in the Houston City Boys Choir. He played the oboe and bassoon and then his favorite, the drums. He sang and played the drums in several bands as a young man all the while not realizing that God was working a plan with a greater purpose. His skill in reading music and understanding voice control was the perfect soil to grow a confident and outstanding song leader in the Church of Christ where we sing acapella. On singing night at church, he would take requests for the members’ favorite songs. When a song was requested he did not know…no problem. Keith would smile and say “well, I don’t know this one, but, give me just a minute”. He would study it for a moment then raise his hand, hum the various notes for each part (which I have never seen done, he did not need a pitch pipe) and off we went. He loved every minute of it.

He thoroughly enjoyed golf and was very good at it. A gentleman at all times, on and off the course. He played baseball as a young boy and enjoyed watching it on television, as well as football and basketball. College ball games were his favorite. As a boy, he loved dove hunting with his grandfather every season and the ride home listening to The Colt .45s (Astros) on the radio in the car.

Keith loved his work. He was in Estate Planning and Investment Advice. He always said it never felt like work because he loved what he was doing and he only worked with people he liked. His clients loved him and respected him and he felt honored to have their trust. He always strived to do his very best for them.

Keith strived to do his best for everyone every time. He was an optimistic, open-minded, generous guy with a big heart and big love for people.

He loved God and he loved serving God. In his last sermon, Keith said we should not live in fear of the ending we cannot write. And he didn’t. After receiving the news of his terminal illness, Keith told the doctor “Well, that’s not what I was hoping to hear, but you know, I’m ready to die. I’m prepared. I am not afraid”.

Keith left us a beautiful example of a life well lived.

I will love him forever. I will miss him forever.

Sharon

In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to the 249 Church of Christ with a note ”in Keith’s memory for The India Mission Work”

Mail to 11702 West Montgomery Road, Houston, TX 77086