He was born October 17, 1940 in Savanna, Oklahoma, the son of William Thomas Bradford and Ona Mae (Ledford) Bradford. He married Rita Ann Bradfield on June 17, 1966 in Independence, MO. She survives of the home.
Jesse was employed with AT&T Inc., for 32 years, retiring as an electronic technician in 1995, and was a member of the AT&T Pioneers. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam war. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clinton, where he served as a deacon, greeter, handyman, or anything else the church needed of him. He enjoyed volunteering his expertise to anyone who asked within the church or out in the community. In his younger years he acquired his private pilot's license. Jesse also enjoyed playing golf and woodworking. Most important to him though were his family and his church.
In addition to his wife Rita, surviving are one son, Shawn Stephen Bradford and significant other, Donna, Westmont, Illinois; one daughter, Heather Ann Jenkins and her husband, Phil, Billings, MO; two grandsons, Patrick Bradford, Westmont, IL and Logan Jenkins, Billings, MO; two granddaughters, Ashton Ward, Billings, MO and Katie Bradford, Westmont, IL; one great-grandson, Dimitri Ward, Billings, MO; one brother, James Bradford and his wife, Jean, Independence, MO; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, William Bradford; and one sister, Jean Norris.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg for their exceptional and loving care during his 11 month stay there.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2019 at the First Baptist Church, 1531 North Vansant Road, Clinton, MO 64735. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. just prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in Englewood Cemetery. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association or the First Baptist Church Building Fund, and these donations may be left in care of the funeral home.
