James L. Bradley

James LeGrand Bradley passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 23, 2016, in Logan, Utah. He was born April 8, 1921, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Howard Howarth and Allie Cornelia Bradley. “Jimmy” was raised in Driggs, Teton County, Idaho, the youngest of five children. Under the Grand Tetons, he spent his early years working the farm, cutting wood, and going to school.
From 1942-1944 he was given the opportunity to serve a mission in the Northwestern States Mission. Few were given the opportunity to serve during the war and Jim considered it a real blessing to be one of only two elders from his stake to serve. Upon returning from his mission in 1944, he was drafted into the Army serving as Private First Class, Company D, 143rd Infantry. His tour of duty was a machine gunner in France. On February 4, 1945, he sustained a shrapnel injury to the left chest and gunshot wound to the right knee. He spent seven months in the hospital in France and England before returning home in September, being awarded the purple heart.
Jim attended BYU and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in music in 1948. Here he met Barbara June Webb and after a very brief courtship of three months, they were married on June 2, 1948, by Elder Ezra Taft Benson in the Salt Lake City Temple. Jim accepted a position teaching music at Ammon High School in Blackfoot, Idaho and was there for three years. He then went on to teach music at Bonneville High School, Idaho Falls, Idaho 1951-1952; Seminary principal, Shelley, Idaho, 1952-1953; Seminary teacher, Idaho Falls, Idaho 1953-1955 and then returned to BYU to pursue a Master’s degree in music, graduating in August 1956.
In September 1956, James and Barbara, with their six children, moved to Logan, Utah and he began working as an institute instructor at Logan LDS Institute. Because of his love for music he began a male choir (The Delta Phi’s) at the Institute. This led to wanting to expand the choir and so he began to include all the young women who were the girlfriends of this all male chorus in singing. In 1970 he started a mixed chorus, The Sounds of Zion. This choir traveled and performed extensively. They performed for general authority functions, at general conference, and toured throughout the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, and Europe. The Sounds of Zion expanded and added dancing and stage bands and performed an annual variety show each April until “Bro. B’s” retirement in 1982. Through his music, tours and performances the love and rewarding relationships he had with his students was always his greatest delight. He may not have remembered your name but he could tell you what song you sang or something you did. He was a master teacher of church history and, in addition to his musical trips, took many people on tours of church history sites for many summers.
James was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He loved to serve. This labor included serving as Bishop, High Councilor, and Stake Patriarch. After retirement, he and his wife, Barbara, accepted a call to serve a proselyting mission in Lowell, Massachusetts from 1991-1993. Upon completing their service they returned to Logan where they sold their home on 1200 South and moved into a smaller home in River Heights. A few years later, Barbara was diagnosed with cancer and James lost his beloved wife in December 1999 after 51 years of marriage.
James then married Daisy Church and was able to serve a mission with her in the Washington DC Temple in 2002 where she passed away. In 2003, he married Maudie Mae Thompson, who preceded him in death, and then he married Muriel Rawlings in September 2014. We appreciate Muriel’s unconditional love for our father.
James has now joined his beloved companion and wife Barbara and their 12 children could not be happier for them. James is survived by all 12 of his children. They are: Arlee (Don) Willits of Salt Lake City; James (Joan) Bradley of Nibley; Ann (Byron) Nowell of Carrollton, Texas; Susan (Seldon) Leishman of Wellsville; David (Kim) Bradley of Athens, Georgia; Lynn (Sylvia)Bradley of LaCanada, California; Mark (Jan) Bradley of Salt Lake City; Robert (Shari) Bradley of Salt Lake City; Lori (Kent) Nielsen of Providence; John (Pat) Bradley of Ogden; Marnie (Paul) Bowden of Hooper; and Barbara (Curtis) Andrew of Dallas, Texas, 48 grandchildren, and 71 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at River Heights Stake Center, 800 South 600 East, River Heights, Utah. Viewing will be held on Friday, March 4, 2016, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center, Logan and from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 5, 2016, at River Heights Stake Center.
Dad loved singing, whether it was around the camp fire with family in “The Tetons,” Christmas carols to widows of the ward, while working in the yard, farming, painting, or touring on a bus. He especially enjoyed singing and directing choirs in church meetings since it allowed him an opportunity to express his love and testimony of the Savior. That love of singing and his testimony continues on through his children and all those he served. “Til we meet again, Dad, Til we meet again.”
The family would like to thank The Beehive House, especially Jully and Rick Mayo, and his Hospice Nurse, Kristine Curtis, for caring for our dad these last few months.
Our dad’s last wish is to have all former members of The Sounds of Zion and Delta Phi come and sing God Be With You at the conclusion of his funeral.