Gray Wilfred Bradford, 83, peacefully passed away on September 25, 2025 at Staunton (Va.) Post Acute & Rehabilitation Center shortly after eating ice cream and kissing his wife of nearly 53 years. He is survived by his wife, Linda Smith Bradford; his oldest brother, Dr. James C. Bradford of Buena Vista, and younger brother, William A. Bradford of Blackstone.

He was educated at Virginia Tech for his undergraduate studies and at the University of Virginia for graduate studies. He served children in Virginia as a teacher and administrator for a number of years prior to going into private enterprise in an antique business and then delving into recycling manufactured foods into a protein supplement for the poultry industry.

Before his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, Gray was active in a many local and regional organizations, primarily Ruritan Clubs, serving as president of nearly every one he joined. He was a 35+ year Mason belonging to Tuckahoe #347 and Oriental #20 serving as Master of both. Additionally, he was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason serving as Grand Master of the Richmond Valley in 1995; a member of the Acca Temple in Richmond, and The Royal Order of Scotland.

Having been raised on a tobacco farm in Southside Virginia, after coming to the Northern Neck and marriage, he was led/pulled/pushed to the Chesapeake Bay and became an ardent boater. For nearly 40 years he was a member of the Virginia Yacht Club serving as Commodore in 1995-96, the Chesapeake Bay Commodores’ Association and of the Mathews Yacht Club.

Always described as a curmudgeon and called “Uncle Fun” because he was not, he enjoyed other people’s children, a good drink, and a slot machine!

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in the old Richmond home of Linda’s parents.