John “Chris” Bradley • December 27, 2022
John Christopher Bradley, age 72, passed away on December 27, 2022, at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he was the only son of Homer and Addie Bradley. He graduated from Shawnee High School before joining the military in 1969.
CSM John “Chris” Bradley served in the United States Army for 30 years, achieving the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He was a 4-time recipient of the Army Achievement Medal, 4-time recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, 4-time recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, 10-time recipient of the Army Good Conduct Medal, 2-time recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Humanitarian Service Medal. He also earned the Master Aircraft Crewman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge. After retiring from the Army in 1999, he worked for the Department of Defense as a civilian and deployed 4 times to Iraq and Kuwait. The discipline and patriotism never left him as his friends and family will attest.
Chris was an avid music lover and a lifelong singer and guitar player. He collected guitars and was a part of 2 bands throughout his life, The Vibratones and Silverwood Express. He also loved Harley Davidson motorcycles and sported an endless supply of Harley t-shirts. His biggest love was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He will be forever in our hearts.
Chris is survived by his wife of 30 years, Ginger Bradley, and his 5 children, Michael (Paula) Bradley, Crystal Bradley, Tara (Jennifer) Soland, Dana (Kenny) Baker and Erin (Ivan) Currington. He is also left behind 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Addie Bradley, sister Karen Rock, and 2 sons, Tracey Bradley and Richard Goodin.
Services will be held at Pensacola Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home on Monday, January 2 beginning at 10:00am.
The service will be available via live webcast for anyone that cannot attend. You may watch the webcast live and/or for 90 days after day of service by entering this website address into one of the compatible browsers (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox on a Windows computer/phone or Safari on an Apple Mac/iPhone):
https://webcasts.lifetributes.com/1247403
Webcast will not be available till 5 minutes before the service.
The password for viewing this webcast has been set to: 22280
If you have any questions, please contact Pensacola Memorial Gardens at 850-944-0355.
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Lost a very dear friend and a great soldier he will be dearly missed.So glad I stayed in touch and visited him and Ginger a couple of years ago.He was the first person I met when I signed into C TRP 1/17 CAV in 1971 and served together often and remained friends to this day.
My deepest condolences to the entire family.
I am so sorry to hear of Johnny’s passing. He was a good man. Loved by all his family. Our prayers are with you!
I met Chris when I became the Commander of C Troop, 1-17th Cav in 1977.He was part of the great Team we built that produced many senior Officers and especially CSM’s that led our formations of Aviation Units from Troop thru Brigade. I remember making him our senior C Troop Tec Inspector in 1977,ahead of his time, and with all the other exceptional NCO’s, he continued to impress me as a future senior leader. We stayed good friends and in touch, and when the 82nd Aviation Brigade needed a CSM for it’s Attack Battalion, Chris was our man. I left the Division in early 1992, but was in on the process that got Chris back to the 82nd and the Attack Battalion. It is hard to think of the 82nd Aviation Brigade without Chris in the background. Susan and I send our deepest condolences to everyone. God bless him and his family during this sad part of living. The old Team will never forget him.
Breaks my heart that such a great person and patriot has passed from mortality. I also speak for my wife Doris Skaggs Reser and they are both in paradise and Heaven. My prayers go out to all the family.
John and I were friends in Shawnee Elementary all the way through high school. We played in our first band together called The Vibratones. We had more fun taking the bus downtown and eating at Frisch’s on 4th Ave. We went to the 50 year class reunion a few years ago and met later at Mike Linnigs fish house in South Louisville. I talked to John on his birthday just a few weeks ago and it was our last conversation. I loved John as a friend admired his service. I will miss him so much!
My sincere condolences to the family and loved ones. Spent a few years working for Chris in the lift platoon and later on. Always fun chatting about memories years later while standing in the chow line out in the field. He will be missed.
My prayers to the family on their loss. Karen and I were best friends and Johnny was always her little brother that always had a story or joke to make us laugh. He never forgot his friends in Louisville. My favorite thing about Johnny was listening to him sing. You could close your eyes and believe it was Elvis.. He loved Ginger dearly and was proud of his family. You’ll be missed by all that knew him.
RIP Chris. It’s was a pleasure working with you in the Florida Guard and also in South Korea. Loved your musical equipment and your singing and playing. Condolences to your family.
Chris was a great friend and fellow musician.I spent many hours singing and performing with him.He was a top notch logistician for the AVIATION AND MISSILE COMMAND and could always be depended to achieve superior results in all his undertakings. He will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in pease Chris. Wayne Gwynne
We served together in C Trp 1/17 Cav in the 70. Great solder will be miss by alot of friends May he RIP RET.1SG Nava
My deepest sympathy and condolences to all friends and family of Chris. I served with Chris in the 82nd. He was my CSM in 1-82d Aviation Battalion. I have communicated with him often and this is a total surprise. Rest in Peace Chris. Airborne All The Way.
God be with your family. I am indebted to your service to our country that I may live in peace.
Chris and I served together in 82nd CAB for some year. Great friend and professional soldier. He will be greatly missed by all. Till Valhalla Chris….
I had recently reconnected with Chris after 30 years. It was great catching up, and reminiscing about the days in the 3/227th. Chris and I were together from Ft. hood, TX, to Hanau Germany, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and back to Granny. A period spanning 4 years and he was one of the most professional soldiers I ever encountered. He will be remembered and missed deeply. RIP Chris, until we meet again. SPEARHEAD ATTACK!
I am so sorry to hear about Chris passing. He was a great Soldier, NCO and man that always did his best and led from the front. He always set the example. You’ll be missed Chris, RIP.
OB
Worked with Chris when he was covering FL NG I was covering the 1108th TASM Great to work with. RIP Brother