Harold Keith Bradley was born at Ft. Scott, KS on May 16, 1927 to Aubrey J. and Bernice (Davis) Bradley. He left this life at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, KS on December 17, 2016.

He grew up on a farm 3 miles south of Blue Mound, Linn Co., KS. He attended Unity, a country grade school near his home through the 8th grade and graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1944. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the University of Kansas and was able to attend a year before being eligible to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He was in Boot Camp when the war ended in Europe, and when the Japanese surrendered, he was assigned duty on the second USS Yorktown. At that time, the Yorktown was making several trips to the South Pacific to return troops to the United States. He continued in the reserves and returned to the University of Kansas. While there, he joined the U. S. Air Force ROTC program, and upon graduation in 1949 he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a commission in the U.S. Air Force.

While he was at the university, he played football one year, was active in the KuKu Pep Club, and in the Wesley Foundation Program-a college youth program at the First Methodist Church- becoming their president his senior year. It was in that group that he met Mary Jane During, and after two-years of developing a loving relationship, they were married at the First Methodist Church in Lawrence, KS on May 20, 1949.

They made their home in Salina, KS where he taught a required 9th grade civics course called "Democracy". For three years they enjoyed life as part of the Salina faculty group, and it was there that their first son was born. At that time the faculty was paid for 9 months work, and they needed to find an additional job to provide an adequate salary. He decided to make the change to a position in business and obtained a position with Hallmark Cards in Kansas City in 1952. He went through their managerial training program and through the years served in many different areas, finally working in personnel in employee relations and later as manager of benefit planning until 1985 when he retired.

In 1954, he and his family moved to Lenexa, KS where they joined the Methodist Church. He was very active in the church serving in many different positions and working with the Boy Scouts and teaching Sunday School.

In the community, he served on the zoning board and was on the local school board for 12 years.

When he retired, he chose to achieve two specific goals. One was to investigate the genealogy on his father's and his mother's lines. For 13 years he and his wife did the research that enabled him to publish two books, one on each of those two lines. His other goal was to travel, and that was achieved when he and Jane, his wife, were able to travel extensively, both nationally and internationally.

Keith was a devoted husband and father. Everyone who knew him saw his outgoing friendly demeanor, his devotion to his family, and his overt desire to greet and make all he came in contact with feel accepted and welcome in his circle. His values and kindness were examples to all his children and grandchildren and he set the bar for living a life very well lived.

Preceding him in death were his parents and four of his five siblings. He is survived by his eldest brother, Aubrey J. Bradley, Jr.

He is also survived by: Wife, Jane, two sons: James (Effie), Stephen (Barry Franson), and two daughters: Jane Ann (David) Hofmeister, Susan (Joseph) Finley; ten grandchildren: Katherine (Neil) Boege, Joanna (Elias) Papalios, Lauren and Michael Bradley, Nicholas, Elliott, and Rena Hofmeister, and Erin, Thomas and Andrew Finley; two great-grandaughters: Isla and Eloise Boege.

Visitation and Services

10:00 am, Thursday, January 12 at Lenexa United Methodist Church, 9138 Caenen Lake Road., Lenexa, KS.

Memorial Contributions

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Lenexa United Methodist Church, 9138 Caenan Lake Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215; or to Olathe Medical Center Charitable Trust Foundation; 20375 West 151st Street, Suite 363; Olathe, Kansas 66061