ALBERT BRADBURY

Albert Edward Bradbury "Brad" EVANSTON, WY - On Jan. 4, 2011, our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and stepfather left his earthly home to join his friends and family who have gone before him. Albert Edward Bradbury, "Brad," was born May 1, 1917, to Louise Hinckle and Orlando Earl Bradbury in the family home in Evanston, and he graduated from Evanston High School. He and two friends were encouraged by the school superintendent to attend Stanford University, where he completed a Masters Degree in Geology. (Road trips with him were always a lesson in the geology of whatever region you were traveling through.) In February 1944, he married Shirley Brimmer of Cheyenne in New York City shortly before shipping out with the armed forces to Belgium, where he served as an air traffic controller and was discharged honorably with the rank of captain. Upon his return from the war, there was a crisis in the family banking business, the First National Bank of Evanston. He gave up his geology career to assist his father through a difficult time. He then embarked on a lifelong career in banking, serving as president of the bank for several decades. He is fondly remembered by many acquaintances as "the one who gave us a 'hand up' when no one else would." He helped many families obtain their first home, keep the family ranch or start up a small business. His wife Shirley preceded him in death in March 1985. He was married to Margaret "Peg" Fitzpatrick in August 1987. They enjoyed many travels with friends, and their time in Palm Springs, CA, for several winters. Peg preceded him in death in April 2008. Brad lived life to the fullest. He had an insatiable curiosity about many subjects. Some favorite passions of his were fly fishing, bird hunting, golf, playing bridge and painting. He loved operas, musicals and Western music. He was a charter member of the Evanston Rotary Club and was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Sage Golf Course. He was a member of the Salt Lake Country Club and Desert Island Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA. He dabbled quite successfully in the stock market and frequently "advised the advisers" about the next best move to make in the market. He was generous to many worthy causes, and will ever be remembered for commissioning the life-size bronze buffalo near the Gazebo on Front Street in Evanston. The bronze was named "Albert the Buffalo" in his honor. He is survived by his daughters, Laurie Bateman of Evanston and Sarah Ringer of Cody, Wyoming. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Cody (Ashley) Bateman, Tiffany (Matt) Windley, Jessica Bateman, all of Evanston; Bradley (Julie) Bateman, Fort Bridger; Harley (Kelci) Ringer, Salt Lake City, and Aube Ringer, Cody; six great-grand-children, Cohen and Ayla Bateman, Tyson and Berkley Bateman, and Jaden and Tatum Windley. Also surviving are his nephew, Rob Wallace, of Washington, D.C., who was like a son to him, and special nieces Diane Dunn, of Goodyear, Ariz., and Ann Wallace, of Evanston. He was close to his stepchildren, Maggie Woolf, Polly (Jim) Light and Tim (Renee) Fitzpatrick and their children, all of Salt Lake City. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dorothy Carruth and nephew Barry Dunn. A graveside service will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 4th Avenue and T Street, Salt Lake City, on Friday, Jan. 14, at 1:00 p.m., under the direction of Neil O'Donnell & Sons Mortuary. A celebration of life and graveside services also will be held in Evanston in June 2011. Condolences may be sent to Box 700, EV, WY 82931. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Bear Project, the Uinta County Museum, Uinta Recycling or the Uinta County Library.