James Bradford, age 89 of Solon, passed away December 9, 2016. He was born in Trenton, MI to the late James George and Elizabeth Bradford. He is the beloved husband for 59 years of the late Rosemary (nee Grant) and is survived by his children James Bradford DDS (Faith) of Augusta, MI, Jocelyn Bradford of Solon, OH, and Gerald Bradford (Sherry) of St. John's, IN, his brother Kenneth Bradford (Bernadette) of Wyoming, MI, his sister-in-law Margaret Stockwell, of Fort Gratiot, MI, his brother-in-law Jerry Grant (Joie), of Fort Gratiot, MI, and his grandchildren Kristen Bradford, Kelly Bradford, Anne Bradford, Brian Bradford and Elizabeth Bradford.
James graduated Valedictorian from Henry Ford Trade School, River Rouge, MI in January 1945 and enlisted in military service in February 1945 where he served in the 82nd Airborne during WWII as a Sergeant. He received Asiatic-Pacific Theater ribbon, Philippine Liberation ribbon and Army of Occupation Medal Japan.
He obtained a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Detroit in February 1953 and was a member of the Chi Epsilon Fraternity. In November 1958, he received his certification as a registered professional engineer. He worked for Peerless Cement Company, Detroit, MI, Lone Star Industries Inc., Greenwich, CT and Medusa Cement Company, Cleveland, OH. He retired from Medusa in 1994. Throughout his life, he was a woodworker and a gardener and upon retirement he became an exercise enthusiast. But above all, he was a great problem-solver. There was no issue too big or too small for him to tackle. The family wishes to recognize the nurses and staff at Villa St. Joseph and the staff at Cleveland Clinic Hospice for their outstanding care and dedication over the last 21 months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations be made to Villa St Joseph, 5200 Marymount Drive, Garfield Heights, OH.The family will receive friends in celebration of James' life at St. Rita Church (32820 Baldwin Road, Solon, OH) at 10 AM on Saturday, December 17, 2016 followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 AM. James will be buried at All Saints Cemetery.