Wray Bradley

Wray E. "Brad" Bradley, 86, died March 20, 2010. He was living at Greentree Assisted Living in Sand Springs, Okla.

Family wrote that he "went home with the Lord."

He was a longtime Alaska resident, a former Alaska state senator, a former Anchorage Assemblyman and former president and board member of the Older Persons Action Group (OPAG).

Brad was born Oct. 3, 1923, in Jackson, N.C.

A graduate of Wake Forest University, he was a highly decorated retired Army infantry lieutenant colonel. He served in the Pacific in World War II and served two tours in Vietnam. He was wounded twice and his awards include a Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster.

Brad first moved to Alaska in 1964 when he was stationed at Fort Greeley. Except for the two one-year tours in Vietnam, he remained in Alaska until 2008 (44 years), when he and his wife moved to Oklahoma for health reasons.

After retiring from the Army, Brad was elected to the Alaska Senate, where he served from 1975 through 1982. While in the Senate, he was noted for his concern for senior citizens and veterans. He sponsored legislation that increased the property tax exemption for disabled veterans, that gave free hunting and fishing licenses to certain disabled veterans, and that gave free hunting and fishing licenses to Alaska residents over age 60. In addition, he was instrumental in establishing the State of Alaska Veterans Memorial in Denali State Park. He ran once, unsuccessfully, for lieutenant governor.

Brad also served as an Anchorage Assemblyman from 1985 through 1988.

In the Assembly he sponsored legislation for the construction of the Anchorage Veterans Memorial in Delaney Park and sponsored legislation that established the first Municipality of Anchorage Veterans Affairs Commission.

Brad was active in the Anchorage community, helping to organize senior citizens and veterans. He was a past chairman of the Older Persons Action Group Endowment Foundation. Brad was also responsible for organizing Alaska's first chapter of Disabled American Veterans, responsible for founding and organizing the Coalition of Alaska Veterans and responsible for organizing the first Alaska Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Brad and his wife were longtime members of the Anchorage Baptist Temple.

He is survived by his wife, Louise; son, Wray "Erick" Jr.; sister, Margaret Nelson; sister-in-law, Ada Bradley; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He will be buried with military honors Thursday at the Fort Gibson Oklahoma National Cemetery. Letters of condolence can be sent to: Mrs. Louise M. Bradley, Greentree Assisted Living, 4402 S. 129th West Ave., Apt. 118, Sand Springs, OK 74063.