BEN BRADBURY JR. obituary

RUDYARD - Ben Alfred Bradbury Jr., 66, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on Monday, May 26, 2003.

It was Ben's wish to be cremated without fanfare. In remembrance of his life, the family has planned a small gathering from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the home of Alfred Bradbury, 717 17th St. in Havre.

Ben was born in Havre to Beulah Wilcox and Ben Bradbury Sr. on Dec. 19, 1936. He received his formal education there and graduated from Rudyard High School in 1955. In the few years that followed, he worked on the family farm.

Ben enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1957. He attended aviation school and attained the rank of Specialist-4 before his honorable discharge in 1960. He transferred to the Army Reserve Corps until 1963.

Following his military years, Ben attended college at the University of Montana, majoring in education. He continued his schooling in Colorado, where he earned his masters degree in mathematics.

Ben pursued a career in teaching in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He taught school at Browning for four years, then served as principal at Sunburst, and eventually became superintendent at Ryegate.

Ben married Judy A. Blaquiere on May 26, 1973, in Las Vegas, Nev. They made their home at Lake Blaine. He operated several businesses in the Flathead Valley, including Danny's Restaurant. When Ben's father became ill in 1979, they moved back to Rudyard to help on the family farm. In 1993 the Bradburys began wintering in Quartzsite, Ariz.

In his younger years Ben enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He continued to love fishing and traveling. He was a strong believer in education and he improved his personal knowledge through his love of reading. He enjoyed playing solitaire or board games with his family. Ben loved to laugh and even through his poor health, he maintained his good sense of humor. His family was important to him and they will remember him as a kind-hearted father and a loving husband.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Judy Bradbury of Rudyard; daughter, Brook Bradbury of Las Vegas, Nev.; son, Brad Bradbury of Rudyard; sisters, Beverly Leopold of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Bonita Baker of Shelton, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester.