Ronald F. Bradford

Ronald Francis Bradford was born May 7, 1943 to Francis Barto Bradford and Thelma Doris (Burnham) Bradford in Aransas Pass, Texas. He passed away August 31, 2025 at age 82. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and brother Douglas Wayne Bradford. His Celebration of Life will be held Friday, September 12, 2025 at 10am in The Chapel at Highland Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.

Ron served in the U.S. Navy after graduating Cypress-Fairbanks High School, met his future wife through one of his first friends in the Navy, and married Kay Susanna Crenwelge December 18, 1965. They were blessed with 4 children and their families. Ron is survived by his loving wife Kay; cousin Marvin and Joyce Stone; children and families: Mark and Dawn Bradford; Jill and Dave Shuemaker; Micah and Hayden Bradford, Cora, Avery, Grace, & Selah Bradford; Emily Bradford; William Bradford & fiancé Julia Salinas; Rebecca and Tony Cech, Timothy, Jacob, Nathan, & Silas Cech; Esther and Ryan Van Pelt, Naomi, Samantha, & Toby Van Pelt; Ruth and Mark Michoski, Kati and Abby Sonnenberg; and Andy Sonnenberg. Ron is also survived by sister-in-law Betty L. Crenwelge, cousins Sandy Pavlock; Sharon and Ed Mitchell; and numerous extended family members – too many to name, but all deeply loved.

Ron served ten years in the U.S. Navy, completing two tours of duty on aircraft carriers during the Vietnam War. He was so proud of his Naval service and always said he would go back in a heartbeat if the opportunity presented itself. After the Navy, Ron worked in the oil industry and later graduated with a diploma from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He pastored small churches and had an entrepreneurial streak. His longest pastoral position was in Falfurrias, Texas, where the family lived from 1986 to 1996. The family moved to Waco in 1997, where Ron pastored Oak Lawn Baptist Church. He retired from pastoral ministry in 2000, and he and Kay have been active and blessed by their church family at Highland Baptist Church since then, until his illness kept Ron home and later at Lakeshore Village nursing home. While at Lakeshore Village, Ron was blessed by the New Beginnings Christian Fellowship team who brought worship to the residents each week.

Ron enjoyed gardening, genealogy, writing, woodworking, canning, making his grandkids laugh, and trying to help people when he saw a need. He is also lovingly remembered by his children and grandchildren for his Little Man in the Woods stories. As a family we enjoyed fierce game play, singing hymns around the piano, and laughing over silliness usually instigated by Ron himself. He never met a stranger and loved people because God first loved him. His friends and family grieve our loss, but we are grateful for relieved suffering and the joy of knowing he is with The Lord.

Floral arrangements are welcome. For anyone who would prefer to make a donation in lieu of flowers, Ruth is accepting donations on Kay’s behalf that will go toward Ron’s final expenses.

Donation details:

Venmo @Ruth-Sonnenberg (7485 if asked for code)

Please list Ron’s name and send your gift privately