John A. Bradshaw

John A. Bradshaw, age 92, of Palm Springs, FL passed away peacefully on August 25, 2023 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Palm Beach, FL.

 

John was born in Newton Grove, NC on September 22, 1930 to the late Romie Garland Bradshaw and Anna Monk Bradshaw. After graduating from Newton Grove High School, John joined the United States Air Force as a radio maintenance specialist. Self taught from an early age, John breezed through the USAF/MIT electronics school, recording the highest score in course history at the time, and maybe even today. He served with the USAF 624th Aircraft Warning And Control Squadron during the Korean War. He was stationed on the island of Kumejima where he maintained radar and radio systems that guided aircraft in and out of the combat theater.

 

In 1958, after John's service in the USAF, he and his wife Peggy moved to Satellite Beach, FL where John worked with the newly created National Aeronautical and Space Administration. During John’s time at NASA, he had the honor of working beside the “Father of Rocket Science,” Dr. Wernher von Braun. He also met “Ham,” the chimpanzee that NASA launched into space on January 31, 1961. In late 1962, John was recruited by John D. MacArthur to supervise an electronics research and development team at his West Palm Beach, FL company, Molecular Research, Inc. John later started two successful companies in the industrial coating and electronic assembly industries. Needless to say, John was a big fan and admirer of Steve Jobs and Elon Musk.

 

John and Peggy lived and raised their children in the Village of Palm Springs, FL where he resided until his death. Upon John’s retirement, he and Peggy became active in local veteran clubs and organizations where they made many friends and left lifelong impressions. Throughout his life John took pride in his family, his personal and professional accomplishments, and helping others reach their own goals and dreams. John was not only known for his wit and dry sense of humor, but also for his great storytelling. Those who knew him remember being captivated by his stories of his military service, NASA, technology, and of course, the pride of his life: his family, both their accomplishments and their antics.

 

John leaves behind three children, Gerall (Patty) Bradshaw; Timmy (Pat) Bradshaw; Mollie (Ron) Heinle; a daughter-in-law, Teresa Bradshaw; 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren; a sister, Margie Bandiero; and two brothers, Garland Bradshaw and Johnny Clark.

 

John was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Peggy Marie Bradshaw; his son, Mark (Teresa) Bradshaw; his mother and father, Garland and Anna Bradshaw; his step mother, Polly Bradshaw Carter; a sister, Ellen Hall; and three brothers, Romie Bradshaw, Howard Bradshaw, and Jan Bradshaw.

 

John is interned with his beloved wife Peggy at the VA South Florida National Cemetary, Lake Worth Beach, FL. Stop by and say hello, they'd love the visit! Wall A-46, Niche C-11.

 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Fisher House Foundation: fisherhouse.org