More detail on this person: Leon A. Bradford, age 64, passed away surrounded by his loving family
on Tuesday, May 4, 2004.
He was born March 4, 1940 in Cedar City to Wendell H. and Leona White Bradford.
He attended schools in Spanish Fork, Utah. He enlisted in the U.S. Army July 1957, serving with the
101st, an Airborne, making over 100 jumps before going to helicopter mechanics school and on to
helicopter flight school. He served in Korea, Dominican Republic, Germany, and two tours in Vietnam,
receiving several medals including the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and
others. He retired in 1978. He then flew helicopters for Rocky Mountain Helicopters from 1979-1991,
where he was awarded the Energy Pilot of the Year, 1986. He was very proficient at flying several
makes and models of helicopters. He flew for Pacific Western Helicopters until 1995. He owned and
operated Brad's Custom Engraving for 10 years and was a substitute school bus driver for several
years.
He has had membership in Moose, Eagles, and Elks Lodges. Leon received Elk of the Year Award for
1994-95 and for 2001-02.
Leon married JoAnne Peterson in 1960. They have three sons: Jeff (Karen) Bradford of Layton, Utah;
Scott (Jamie) Bradford of Price, Utah; Lee (Shawnie) Bradford of Spanish Fork, Utah. He loved his 18
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his sister, JaneAnne (Paul) Olsen; brother, Bill (Joyce) Bradford; many nieces and
nephews; and aunts and uncles. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Elva J. Peterson of Payson,
Utah.
Funeral services will be Friday, May 7, 2004 at 11 a.m. in the Santaquin 12th Ward Chapel, 200 East
90 South. Friends may call on Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Walker Family Mortuary, 187 South
Main, Spanish Fork, and on Friday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services.
Interment will be in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery will military honors by the American Legion.
From: Deseret News, The (Salt Lake City, UT) - Thursday, May 6, 2004
Burial information: Spanish Fork City Cemetery
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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