Ronnie Gail Bradley

Ron G Bradley – Bio 7/11/1934 – 5/2/2023 Even though almost 89 years old, Ronnie Gail Bradley had more organized errands to run, more barn work to push himself to do and more people to enjoy when God called him home on May 2, 2023. Ron truly worked hard to recover from a sudden onset blood infection which started at the end of February, but it wasn’t meant to be. His body was donated to the Texas A&M Medical School.

On this date, July 11th in 1934, Ron was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to his delighted parents, Gail and Marie Jinkins Bradley. As their only child, they could easily focus on guiding him to have a love for God, be responsible, caring and hardworking just as they were. They had a long term plan that he would go to college at Texas A&M so regularly took him to football games and events there. When he did enroll, they were right there… supporting him at every opportunity until graduation as Class of 1956 Corp of Cadets.

Ron was Army Artillery. He left the service as a Captain after he was called back in to the National Guard during the Cuban Crisis in 1962.

Early work life included farming equipment sales, actual farming… cotton, and then a move to the Houston area as a Texas A&M Extension Service Agricultural agent. He met and married, Kathryn Wrong, his forever best friend. Eventually he became a salesman for a wholesale agricultural company, and when his offer to buy out the owner was refused, in 1971 started his own company: Coastal Agricultural Supply. After 11 years, he sold Coastal Ag to his partner. For several years after that he worked part time in sales for a fertilizer company. And then… enjoyed taking care of his own home place, most especially the horses, mules and donkeys at the barn. He was proud that until July of 2022 when medical problems surfaced, he could and did outwork people half his age. He constantly pushed himself to complete those lists that were always in his pocket and his mind.

Music was Ron’s greatest passion. He learned to love music in church and sang in church choirs all of his life from early childhood until June 2022. During the 60’s thru 1971 before starting his business, he also sang and competed nationally in the Houston Tidelanders Barbershop Chorus and in various quartets.

Ron absolutely loved and believed in both Texas A&M and in education. His Celebration of Life filled with both church and barbershop music was held at the George HW Bush Library on the A&M campus to honor those two strong beliefs on July 11, 2023 which would have been his 89th birthday.

The statue “Respect” by James Muir that stands at Kyle Field lists the 6 core values that sets Texas A&M University apart from all others. Ron lived those 6 core values:

Respect – He showed due regard for individuals and traditions
Leadership – He influenced and set an example for others
Integrity – He was oh so honest with strong moral principles
Loyalty – He was entirely faithful to commitments or obligations
Excellence – He put his whole heart into what he did knowing it mattered to God and others
Selfless Service – He made a difference in the lives of others without calling attention to himself

Ron’s soul is with God now and we rejoice for that. He touched many people who have plenty of memories in their heart. That’s where he lives now with us… in our hearts. Things will never be the same… but the world is better for the years our beloved Ron lived.