H. C. Bradford Jr.

H. C. "Brick" Bradford Jr., also affectionately known as "Bamboo" by so many, passed from this life on Wednesday, April 5, 2017. A journey lasting just shy of 95 years was spent enjoying the things that meant the most to him: faith in God and country, his love of family and friends, and the Texas Aggies! Brick was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Mildred Bradford, brother, William E. "Billy" Bradford, and his beloved wife JaRue. He is survived by Kay Bradford of Eureka, California, Clay Bradford of Jonesboro, Marla and Gary Slaughter of Allen, Texas, and Kristi and John Rose of Blytheville. He leaves grandchildren Brad Rose of Blytheville, John Charles and Brittany Rose of Blytheville, Cal and Elizabeth Rose of Fayetteville, Rhett Turner of Lepanto, and Grant Goddard of Berkeley, Calif. Brick has his first great grandchild on the way – John Charles "Jack" Rose III. H. C. was born in Keiser, Ark., on May 12, 1922 to Henry and Mary Lou Bradford and was raised during the Depression on the family farm. After spending his early school years locally, he attended Gulf Coast Military Academy, graduated, and enrolled at Texas A & M University. His college studies were interrupted when his class was called to serve in World War II. During the war he served in three battle campaigns: The Ardennes/Battle of the Bulge, the Rhineland, and the Central Europe campaign. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroism & Valor and received three Bronze Service Stars while commanding heavy artillery in the 84th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge. Brick continued to serve his country in the Army of Occupation in Europe after the war ended. In 1946, Brick returned to Texas A & M to complete his degree in engineering. While on Thanksgiving break, he met the girl of his dreams, JaRue Martin of Donna, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley. Their courtship was fast and furious. They met on Thanksgiving, were engaged by Christmas, and married by Easter of 1947. Brick and JaRue lived in Austin, Texas, for several years where Kay and Clay were born. The family farm beckoned Brick back to Arkansas in the early 1950's. As the farming operation grew, so did his family when Marla and Kristi completed the Bradford brood. While Brick farmed in Poinsett County, he continued his engineering practice and designed residential homes and commercial buildings, and provided excavation designs for the Corps of Engineers and local drainage districts, as well as surveys for developers and municipalities. His children participated in the farming operations and from these experiences learned the value of working together as a team that they hope to pass on. Professionally, Brick was a member and officer of the Poinsett County Farm Bureau, Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers, and was selected by Farm Journal magazine to serve on a national panel representing the Southern region of U. S. farmers. He served his community in many capacities through the years. Brick retired from farming in 1984, and he and JaRue "hit the road" traveling. They traveled through Europe, including Belgium, France, and Germany. Brick revisited the battlefields many times where he commanded forces during the Battle of the Bulge. The Bradfords were also a host family to a foreign exchange student from Finland, Juha Nummela, who was welcomed as a member of the family. Brick lived a full and wonderful life, always positive and giving. His life reflected love, integrity, kindness, discipline, adventure and always a purpose of giving to others. As a father, he was the spiritual compass of his family. He led by example as well as word. He expressed daily how proud he was of his children and grandsons and how he felt blessed by them. Brick filled every visit with positive words of love and encouragement, and the family only hopes to pass this legacy on to others. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Lepanto on Sunday, April 9, 2017, with Anthony Langley officiating. Burial held immediately following service in Potter's Cemetery in Lepanto with full military honors. Emerson Funeral Home in charge. Visitation hours held from 1 p.m. until service time at Lepanto First Baptist Church. Donations can be made to the First Baptist Church in Lepanto. Online Guestbook www.emersonfuneralhome.com.