Wesley D. Bradley
Wesley D. Bradley, 83, of Coupeville, died Sept. 3, 2002, at Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville. He was born April 1, 1919, in Ceresco, Neb., to DeForest M. and Anna (Atchison) Bradley.
Upon graduating from Colorado Springs High School, he enrolled at Colorado College. His college career was interrupted by military service in 1942 where he served as an airplane instrument mechanic, receiving an honorable discharge at the rank of corporal on Feb. 1, 1946. In 1944 he married Marjorie Moone. He was a devoted husband and father of two sons. Marjorie died of cancer in 1974 just before their 30th wedding anniversary.
Wesley returned to college and earned a bachelor’s degree at Colorado College in January of 1948, majoring in biology. In 1949 he began a long and distinguished career as a high school teacher of general science, life science and physiology; he was chairman of the science department for 29 years at Gardena High School, Los Angeles. He continued his education throughout his career, at the University of California, Los Angeles and Oregon State College, and by enrolling in a variety of continuing education programs, including a National Science Foundation-sponsored Advanced Biology Educators Program in 1958. He was a much honored teacher, dedicated to his students.
Wes retired from teaching Jan. 31, 1977. He was re-married on Dec.18, 1977, to Virginia Ford to whom he was a loving husband until his death. The couple moved to Whidbey Island in 1989.
Wesley’s creative and mechanical skills were remarkable. He built a great variety of things from scratch, including several cameras, model railroad engines, a touring bicycle, a sailboat and trailer, and he designed a two-story house on Orcas Island. Whenever he was unable to find a tool for a particular job, his solution was to design and build his own tool. His twin loves were aviation and classical guitar. He was an accomplished self-taught classical guitar maker, having designed and constructed 14 fine classical and flamenco-style instruments. He also built a banjo and a harpsichord. He designed and built a fully operational two-thirds scale model single-seat Tiger Moth for which he was awarded several awards at EAA fly-ins, including a Best-of-Show. His unique design for this bi-plane included folding wings for compact transport. He was very active in the Skagit chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, serving as an officer for many years.
Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, brother Theodore and sister Ruth. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, of Coupeville; sons David William Bradley of Long Beach, Calif., and Richard Alan (Amy) Bradley of Delaware, Ohio; step-sons, Larry (Patty) Ford of Goshen, Ind., Loren (Leslie) Ford of Portland, Ore., and Murray (Donna) Ford of Oregon City, Ore.; step-daughter, Marla Ford of Irvine, Calif.; seven grand-children; one great-grandson; sisters Olive Musick of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Hilda Hissman of Albequerque, N.M., and brother Curtis Bradley of Phoenix, Ariz.
Contributions may be made to Chapter 18 of Experimental Aircraft Association, WAIF or a charity of their choice.
Cremation was held with private memorial services to be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel.
