Paul Jackson Bradbury

My father was a great man. Among the many hats he wore and the titles he had, the most important ones were husband, father, dad, brother, uncle, and pops. These were the roles that the people closest to him valued him for the most. He had a large presence in the lives that he touched.  His touch was far reaching and his influence invariably positive. 

Paul J. Bradbury was born to Walter and Vaudine Bradbury on October 18, 1948, at Memorial Herman hospital in Houston Texas. He passed away on February 25, 2024 in Bryan, TX surrounded by his family. During that interval, he lived a full and rich life. Akin to a finely woven tapestry pulling together a variety of threads and coming together in wonderful and unexpected ways, that is who my dad was. Some might consider the threads to be eclectic (especially in his music choices), but they came together to form a beautiful human.  These threads are what connected us to Paul.

One of his first threads was as a graduate of the Goose Creek Independent School District schools in Baytown, TX.  He was a proud member of the Robert E. Lee High School marching band (he found it surprising when arriving at Baylor that people he met thought that being a “Fighting Gander” was strange). His love of music carried on throughout his whole life and he shared this love of music with us.

Another of those threads was his marriage to Gail Butler Bradbury who survives him. This is another hat he wore among the many others he possessed.  Their marriage lasted 52 years–lifetimes by any other measure. They were married in Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, Texas in 1972. The extent to which they relied upon and lifted each other up is truly a lesson to us. 

Many of his threads were green and gold as Paul received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Baylor University in 1970.  In 1975, he graduated from Baylor University with his PsyD, moving on to a variety of roles where he practiced as a Clinical Psychologist. He was a healer at heart and carried that philosophy of treating everyone with dignity and kindness throughout his career; touching many lives and influencing the trajectory of many souls in the passing.

To understand my dad and the most important thread, all you had to do is to look at the relationships he had with people, especially his family.  Dad was the kind of person that, if you had a problem, you could come to him and he would do his best to try to help you solve it. He made you want to be a better person and gave you an example to emulate.  Not intentionally, that was just who he was. He loved family and family time, whether at home, in Waco or Valley Mills he looked forward to those shared times.  

Over the years he made many friends, some lifelong others not. Whether they were made through work or school he was someone it was easy to be friends with. Whether they were friendships from grad school some of which lasted all these years (and with whom he developed an obsession with armadillos) or the friends he made through our activities as a family, or his friendships with colleagues, my dad treasured his friends.

 He believed very much in giving back, whatever that form may be. While we may never be graced with his smile or favored with his good humor again, that example he set is his gift to us.

While these few words cannot encapsulate the larger-than-life figure that was Paul Bradbury, it is the author’s hope that from this, you get a glimpse as to who he was. It was a privilege to have him in our lives, as a mentor, father, husband, friend, or colleague. Whatever the form was, it was special.  It is people like this that brush against us and alter the course of our lives, leaving us in better condition than they found us. That is why my father was a great man.

Paul is survived by his brother Wayne Bradbury of Bryan, TX. His wife, Gail and son Matthew Bradbury (Morgan) of Grapevine, TX and daughter Emily Bradbury Harris (Roger) of Bryan, TX.  Paul was loved by his niece, Elizabeth Jackson and her son Lane, and his nephew, Sid Bradbury (Lori) and their children Grace Bradbury and Ryan Bradbury.  He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Gary Butler and his wife Deborah; his niece Heather Butler Stuart (Chuck) and children Landry, Charlie and Laney; and his nephew, Christopher Butler (Amy) and Makayla Butler.  In addition, Paul is survived by many cousins and caring friends.

The family would like to thank Indiana Mills and Erin Stevens for their commitment and care for Paul during these last two years, as well as the staff at Senior Helpers for their support.  In addition, a special thanks to the staff at Crestview Methodist Retirement Center (Rehabilitation)–The Haven for the care, support, and comfort you extended our family during a very difficult time. Our family is grateful for all the kind and comforting support given by the staff at Hospice Brazos Valley in those final days.

Paul’s philosophy of giving back extends to the wishes of his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, Health for All, the Parkinson’s Foundation or a charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 16th at 2:00 p.m. at Callaway Jones Funeral Home.

If you knew Paul, you know he was all about casual.  If you are able to come, please feel free to dress casually (and colorfully if you choose) and come share memories that mean so much to us.

Donations can be made directly to the following organizations: