Lee Bradley

Lee Bradley, 89, of Salisbury passed away March 14, 2016, at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. Born to Clarabelle and Thomas Bradley of Mebane, N.C. on May 24, 1926, Lee began a life full of adventure, family, and friends. After graduating from Aycock High School in Orange County, Lee served a year in the United States Navy in World War II. Following his service, Lee attended the North Carolina Highway Patrol School in Chapel Hill, NC. He was a sworn law enforcement officer for 63 years, working for the NC Highway Patrol, the Salisbury Police Department, and the Rowan County Sheriff's Department. “Captain Lee” taught self defense, firearms operation and safety, and drug awareness to the community, as well as teaching Basic Law Enforcement Training at Rowan Cabarrus Community College. His dedication to the law and his service to the community were honored by the Salisbury Lion's Club when he was named Man of the Year in 1980, and by the NC American Legion when he was named the North Carolina American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 1981. The American Legion Award was especially appropriate since Lee was a member for 70 years, most recently as an active member of the Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post. Lee was also honored for his service in World War II through the Honor Flight Program. He and other veterans flew on the John Hanford Memorial Flight, named in honor of Liddy Dole's brother, to Washington D.C. in Oct. 2009. After retiring in 1987, Lee worked part time at Rowan Cabarrus Community College and was a strong leader of Stallings Memorial Baptist Church, serving as a trustee and deacon. Lee was also active in the Bost Barringer Sunday School Class at his church. Lee remained active in his community throughout his life. He was a member of the Fulton Street Masonic Lodge and the Catawba Chiefs Club, and served as the athletic director for the Rowan County American Legion Baseball Team, where he cooked many hot dogs at Pinky's Joint. He could also be seen regularly at any basketball games played at Catawba, always leaning back in his chair stationed on the floor. Lee enjoyed his Tuesday morning breakfast each week at Thelma's, where he could be found with other Navy veterans at table #7. Lee also enjoyed working with kids, and his dedication to the schools was honored with a lifetime membership to the Rowan Salisbury Schools PTA. He was especially dedicated to the Knox Middle School greenhouse, where he could share his love of gardening and John Deere tractors. One of his great loves was giving away his homegrown vegetables to family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarabelle and Thomas Bradley; his sister, Louise Nelson; and his brother, Joe Bradley. Despite having never met a stranger, Lee's love of people was strongest with his family, most notably with his grandchildren. Lee is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Bettie Bell Bradley; his daughter, Zebbie Bradley Bondurant and husband Tim of Salisbury; his son, Jim Bradley and wife Erin of Mebane; his grandchildren, Mackenzie and Thomas Bradley; his brother, Thomas “Buck” Bradley; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation: The family will receive visitors at Powles Staton Funeral Home, Rockwell, NC, 5:30 to 8 p.m., March 17. Service: A celebration of life will be held at Stallings Memorial Baptist Church March 18, at 11 a.m., conducted by Rev. Michael Herring. Burial will follow at City Memorial Cemetery. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Baptist Men of Stallings Memorial Baptist Church, 817 South Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144 or to Shive Elementary School Greenhouse Club, 655 Holshouser Rd, Rockwell, NC 28138. The family wishes to thank family and friends for their love and support. They also wish to express appreciation for the care given by the hospital staff at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. Powles Staton Funeral Home, honored provider of Veterans Funeral Care is assisting the family of Lee Bradley. Online condolences may be made at www.powlesfuneralhome.com.