Russell Bradshaw

A celebration of the life of Russell Myers Bradshaw will be 10:00 am Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at Friendly Foyil Baptist Church with Mike Clark officiating. Burial will follow at Dawes Cemetery in Chelsea under the direction of MMS-Payne Funeral Service. Visitation will be Monday from 1-8 pm with immediate family there to receive visitors from 6-8pm. Russell went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 30, 2016. He was 79.

Born on March 15, 1937 at the “old Johnson place” just north of the round mound north of Claremore, Russell was one of nine children born to George E. “Gus” and Victoria (Jordan) Bradshaw. He grew up and attended school in his birth community, graduating with Foyil High School class of 1955. Russell was quite the athlete while in school. He played basketball and baseball and lettered in both. On June 16, 1956, Russell married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Evaline Cantrell and moved into town. Their marriage was blessed with four children. Russell became an electrical contractor and started his own business, Bradshaw Electric in 1964. He was also very involved in the community and with the sports his children played. Russell was a city councilman in Claremore from 1972-1976. He stepped down from that office when he bought and moved to the old home place north of Claremore, that had belonged to his parents and grandparents since 1917. After moving to the country he served as a board member and president of RWD #3 for 33 years. Russell was a member of Friendly Foyil Baptist Church.
Russell coached legion baseball and was president of the football booster association. He coached both of his boys in baseball for many years and then went on to coach three of his grandsons. Russell was an avid fan of the Claremore Zebras, Oklahoma Sooners, and the St. Louis Cardinals. He loved fishing with his children and grandchildren. His special hunting trips with his two sons and son-in-law meant the world to him. Together, they would hunt quail, deer, pheasant, or elk.

Russell was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy in 2015; his parents, Gus and Victoria Bradshaw; a brother, Andy Bradshaw; four sisters: Junie Mallory, Sadie Eshbaugh, Minnie Melton, and Gussie Bentley.

Russell is survived by his children: Randy Bradshaw and wife Janet of Garland TX, Pam Felts and husband, Kurt of Gaylord, MI, Kim Davis and husband, Gary of Claremore, and Gus Bradshaw and wife Jennifer of Anadarko; daughter-in-law Val Bradshaw of McKinney, TX, grandchildren: Audie, Torri, and James Bradshaw, Chris Felts and wife Nina, Zach and Ben Felts, Josh Davis and wife Sarah, Matthew and Adrien Davis, and Taylor Davis, and Cheyenne, McKenna, Kiki, and Madi Bradshaw; and great grandchildren: Lyla, Emma, and Evaline Davis. Russell is also survived by one brother, Joe Bradshaw and wife Nancy, and two sisters: Hazel Mallory, and Betty Ellison.