Dr. Cortez Bradley

Cortez Jackson Bradley of Greater Kansas City was born Sept 21, 1925, and passed away Jan 27, 2025, at the age of 99 years and 4 months. He was born in Macon Missouri, a town in Northeast Missouri, the second youngest son of Alex A. and Addie Gertrude (Carter) Bradley. He is preceded in death by his wife, Juanella M. (Lloyd) Bradley, his parents and 9 siblings: Leon, William, Ethel, Mildred, Grace, Isaiah, Odra, Stanley and John.
He is a WWII veteran, having served in the Coast Guard Branch of the US Navy at that time. At the end of WWII, he attended Lincoln University of Missouri, where he met and married the love of his life (Juanella) upon graduating in 1950, with a BS in Business Administration, a minor in Economics, and certification to teach secondary education. Unable to find work in his field, he worked for the Kansas City House and Window Cleaning Company where, through hard work, he was ultimately promoted to the position of supervisor.
However, he went back to school receiving certification to teach in elementary education. He subsequently received his MEd in Elementary Education Administration in 1965 from KU, and rose through the teaching ranks being promoted to the position of Head Teacher in the Kansas City, Missouri, school district. He next obtained his specialist degree in education administration from CMSU, and finally his doctorate in Administration, Supervision and Higher Education from KU in 1975, by which time he had become an elementary education administrator. He then took a position at CMSU teaching graduate courses in Education Administration.
In 1980, he was hired for the position of Director of the Physical Plant at CMSU, but ultimately resumed teaching in the graduate school of education at CMSU. He worked in the field of education for over 50 years. He has written and published several books, including one titled "You, Too, Can Build A Family Lodge: A How-To-Do Booklet". He holds patents for floor cleaning equipment, developed during his time with The Kansas City House and Window Cleaning Company.
He is survived by his three children – Teresina, Stacia (Bradley) Brown and Cortez, II – as well as three grandchildren (Brandi, Camille and Bradley) and four great-grandchildren (Alyssa, Ayden, Mason and Jordan). He is a father, uncle, brother, friend and confidante, mentor and role model, and will be sorely missed. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Dr. Cortez, please visit our Tree Store.