Don McKay Bradley M.D.

1940 - 2012

Don McKay Bradley, M.D. August 24, 1940 - May 13, 2012 Dr. Don McKay Bradley, 71, of Bakersfield, CA, passed away on the morning of May 13, 2012, at his home after a short battle with cancer. His final hours were spent with his wife, Marilyn, by his side. Don was born in Detroit, Michigan, on August 24, 1940. He was the son of Margrette Bradley Bledsoe and adopted son of Leof and Arthur Bradley. Don grew up in Flint, Michigan, graduating from Flint Central High School in 1958 with High Distinction after serving as student body president and captain of the basketball team. He attended the University of Michigan as an undergraduate for three years before entering the University of Michigan Medical School in 1961, the same year he married his wife, Marilyn. Upon his graduation from medical school, Don and Marilyn moved to California, where Don interned at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center from 1965-1966. From 1966-1968, he served in the U.S. Army as a Captain and Battalion Surgeon in the Panama Canal Zone. Don's medical career included a general surgery residency and an ophthalmology residency at Kern Medical Center, followed by 35 years of ophthalmology practice in Bakersfield with Dr. Glenn Siemon and Dr. John Witt. Don is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his brother, Brad Bledsoe; his eldest daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and David Longanecker; daughter and son-in-law, Kristen and Brad Tyberg; and daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Khaled Shahbo. Don was much loved by his eight grandchildren, Andrew, Rachel, Daisy, and Jake Tyberg; Ellie and Tessa Shahbo; Lindsay Longanecker and Heather Sadeq (husband, Wali); and his great-granddaughter, Jaiden Perkins. Known as "Doc" to his friends, Don enjoyed sports and remained a loyal fan of the Michigan Wolverines and Los Angeles Lakers. A highlight for Don was a trip in 2011 to the Final Four College Basketball tournament in Houston with his sons-in-law (a 70th birthday gift from his daughters and sons-in-law). Don enjoyed history programs, growing his own tomatoes, Italian food, traveling to visit his children, and watching his grandchildren play sports. At his request, a private graveside ceremony will be held on Friday, May 18, 2012. Friends are encouraged to join Don's family in celebrating his life on Saturday, May 19th, from 2:30-5:30 p.m. at Sorella's Italian Restaurant, 7800 McNair Court in Bakersfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Autism Speaks at www.autismspeaks.org or SPCA at www.bakersfieldSPCA.org . For condolences please visit www.greenlawnmortuaryandcemetery.com. Greenlawn Southwest www.bakersfield.com/obits