Bradford 'Brad' Girdley

BRADFORD RAY "BRAD" GIRDLEY Bradford Ray Girdley, son of Raymond and Beartice Hart Girdley, was born, April 1, 1943 in West Plains, Missouri. He departed this life, Friday, March 12, 2010, in Lakeside Meadows Retirement Center, Osage Beach, Missouri at the age of sixty-six years, eleven months and eleven days. On November 4, 1986 in Preston, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Joy Lou Earls. Together they shared the past years twenty-three years. Survivors include his wife, Joy Girdley of the home; three sons, Damian Hart of Baltimore, Maryland, Joe Girdley and wife Cindy of West Plains, Missouri and Jeffrey Girdley and wife Heather of West Plains, Missouri; a step-son, Robert Lee Czirr and wife Linda of Ward, Arkansas; seven grandchildren, six step-grandchildren; a sister, Carolyn Lancaster and husband Mike of Dora, Missouri; a brother, Royce Girdley and wife Rose of West Plains, Missouri and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Bradford was raised in West Plains, Missouri and graduated from school there. He lived in Joplin, Missouri for a short time where he worked as a newspaper proofreader. He moved back to West Plains and worked for Seitz Oil Company and ran many stores for them. He worked far a time as a Bondsman and Bounty Hunter. He began a career as a Corrections Officer for the State of Missouri that spanned twenty-four years. He worked in Jefferson City in maximum security, Camp Hawthorne minimum security in Kaiser and retired from Algoa. Bradford was baptized into the Church of Christ in West Plains. In his spare time he enjoyed black powder rifles and was a member of the Black Powder Rifle Club in West Plains. He was a talented woodworker and carpenter and had build homes and furniture. He also did leather work and made several leather items. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he created for his family and friends. Graveside services and burial will be held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2010 in Freedom Cemetery, Montreal under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. . Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Camp Wonderland and left at the funeral home or the church the day of the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton.