Gerald Edward Bradshaw met his Savior Jesus Christ face to face on December 16, 2017. There to greet him as well, were his wife Jeanette, sister Allene, parents Claude and Nell, and a rich heritage of family and friends who shared his love of the Lord.
Gerald was born on May 20, 1926 with twin Allene Bradshaw in Memphis, Tennessee. Gerald and his family moved back home in 1938 and he was graduated from Stillwater High School in May 1944 followed by enlistment in the Army Air Corps where he was stationed in Germany with occupational forces. Following V-E Day, Gerald returned to Stillwater, finished his Business degree and was graduated from Oklahoma A&M College in 1949.
His business career in Stillwater formally began upon graduation from OAMC when he joined the Henry Campbell Insurance Agency. Gerald purchased the agency in 1953 and owned and operated it for 60 of its 83 years in existence. In 1956 he married Anna Jeanette Foster and enjoyed fifty-seven fabulous years with his soulmate.
As a young and engaged businessman in Stillwater, Gerald thrived on projects where vision and resources were needed. He and his father Claude were instrumental in the establishment of the Baptist Student Union on the Oklahoma State campus in 1965, which is still serving OSU students today. Bradshaw served the business community in a variety of leadership roles, including Chamber of Commerce, Board of Education, Oklahoma Jaycees, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma, First and Eagle Heights Baptist Churches as well as through the work of the Stillwater Industrial Authority and Payne County Economic Development board.
Father of three, Gerald modeled the importance of civic engagement, balanced with an unwavering and steadfast support of his family and friends. Gerald will be missed by many, including son David Bradshaw and eldest daughter Ann Bradshaw of Houston, daughter and son-in-law Sara and Steve Ray and their children Adam and Katie of Stillwater as well as countless extended family and friends.
Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers are encouraged to be given to the Stillwater Community Center Foundation, Stillwater Christian School, Stillwater Medical Center Foundation or the Foster-Bradshaw Family Scholarship at Oklahoma Baptist University.
A celebration of Geralds life will be held at Eagle Heights Baptist Church, in Stillwater, Oklahoma at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 21 with a reception following. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 and Wednesday, December 20, 2017 from 9:00am to 8:00pm at the funeral home. Arrangements under the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home.