grave import

Obituary

Robert Ozell "Shorty" Bradshaw Jr., 62, of Burlington, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2012. On July 19, 1949, God honored us with the birth of Robert Ozell "Shorty" Bradshaw, Jr., and the world was changed forever. He was born to Robert Ozell and Cleona Napoleon Bradshaw, Sr. in LaGrange, Missouri. He spent his childhood running the streets of LaGrange, Missouri with his brother, James, and three sisters, Rosa Lee, Julia, and Melva. He was a member of Green Chapel Baptist Church. He attended LaGrange High School from kindergarten to 12th grade. While attending LaGrange High School he played the trumpet in the High School Marching band that won many state championships. He also participated in baseball and basketball, where they won a conference championship in 1966. His athletic greatness landed him a basketball athletic scholarship to Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Missouri. He even created a traveling R&B band that performed throughout Missouri, Illinois and Iowa. After studying for a semester in the Seminary program at Hannibal-LaGrange College, Shorty was drafted into the United States Army in January of 1969 and served in the Vietnam War with 101st Airborne in Phu-Bi, Vietnam from November of 1969 to November of 1970. He returned from Vietnam to reunite with his long time sweetheart, Pamela Marie Bradshaw (Newman). They wed on April 10, 1971 in Burlington, Iowa. They created a great life together with many motorcycle cross country trips, family vacations and martial arts tournaments. He was a 1st degree black belt in Shorei-ryu and Goju-ryu martial arts and won multiple tournaments. He was employed as an electrical plant operator with Alliant Energy (ISU) for 41 years which allowed him to establish a comfortable home for his growing family. On July 3, 1973, Shorty and Pam welcomed their first child, Devin Robert to the family. They then added to their family on April 23, 1976 with the birth of Danita Marie and again on March 4, 1980 with the birth of Dereth Jaimee'. He spent his life serving his family by providing and supporting them in any way possible. He loved to attend his family's sporting events and was always their biggest fan. He never missed the opportunity to hang out with his family and friends and enjoying a cold Rolling Rock beer. He loved sports and training his children in football, basketball and track. He spent his free time going to the casino, playing cards, watching old western shows, ESPN, and cheering on his favorite teams; the Mizzou Tigers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.He is survived by his wife, Pamela Bradshaw; one son, Devin Robert Bradshaw of Lewisville, Texas; two daughters, Danita (Korley) Marie Bradshaw-Ward of Duncanville, Texas, Dereth Jaimee' Bradshaw of Burlington, Iowa; five grandchildren, Omari, Jaylah, Kadia, Jamir, Kyleigh; two sisters, Rosa Lee Bradshaw of Canton, Missouri and Melva Jean Mosby of LaGrange, Missouri; his father-in-law, George A. Newman of Burlington, Iowa; two brother-in-laws, Phillip Newman of Burlington, Iowa and Paul (Amy) Newman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; one sister-in-law, Celeste (Charles) Hall of Mansfield, Texas; a host of nieces and nephews; many great nieces and nephews; and his best friend Ray Robinson. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother James Bradshaw; one sister, Julia Bramlett; one infant brother; one infant sister; one nephew, Ernest Tasco; one niece, Soretha Tasco; and his mother-in-law, Juanita Newman.
Funeral services for Robert Ozell "Shorty" Bradshaw Jr. will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 11:00a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 S. Central Ave., Burlington, Iowa. Rev. John H. Mims of Green Chapel Baptist Church of LaGrange, Missouri will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. in Prugh's Chapel. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in his name.