(July 1, 1936—February 2, 2026)
Dr. Ronald David Bradberry, of Stephenville, Texas, fell asleep in the Lord on February 2nd, 2026. He was 89.
Ronald was born on July 1, 1936 in Gorman, Texas to Charlie Ben and Harvey (Cox) Bradberry. He spent an idyllic childhood filled with friends and family in Dublin, Texas, graduating with the Dublin High School Class of 1954. He was a proud 6th generation Texan and was fortunate enough to know and interact with most of his great grandparents, all of whom had a profound influence on his life.
After high school, Ronald attended Tarleton State College as part of the class of 1956. While at Tarleton, he was a member of the ROTC and played baritone in the marching band. He then went on to graduate from Abilene Christian College in 1958 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology.
Returning to Dublin, Ronald taught biology at Dublin High School until 1960 when he moved to Dallas, where he taught at RT Hill Junior High School while he pursued his Masters of Education at the University of North Texas.
While obtaining his Doctorate in Education at North Texas, he moved to Natchitoches, Louisiana, and taught Educational Psychology and Secondary Education at Northwestern State University. It was there that he met fellow teacher and the love of his life, Annette Jordan. They were married in Natchitoches on June 12, 1968.
In 1969, Ronald accepted a teaching position back in Stephenville with the Department of Education at Tarleton. Thus began a storied and successful 36 year career. He served as Chair of the department and was instrumental in the establishment of TMATE, the alternative teacher certification program. In 1985, Ronald was chosen as the Dean of Graduate Studies, a position he held until 2003. He fully retired from Tarleton in 2005 and was named Dean Emeritus.
In addition to his work at Tarleton, Ronald was very invested in both the community and public education at large. He was a member and president of the Lions Club, and member and president of the board of directors of Foster’s Home for Children. He served as a member of the Stephenville ISD school board for 18 years, 10 of those as president. He was selected as an area representative for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), and spent time on the TASB Risk Management Committee. He also served as the president of the Texas Society for Colleges of Teacher Education and was a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Accreditation Board. He was active as a member of St. Peter Orthodox Church in Fort Worth, Texas for over 30 years and was a founding and current member of St. Stephen Orthodox Church in Stephenville.
The role he treasured most, however, was that of loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved two-stepping in the kitchen, was a master story teller, and was always up for a laugh and a good time. Ron could put a smile on anyone’s face with his clever quips and one liners, many of which have become part of the “family lingo”. His wise and patient guidance, known familiarly as a “tailgate talk”, steered his children through many important decisions. He will be missed every single day, but we are so grateful for the full and vibrant life he lived.
Ronald is survived by his wife of 57 years, Annette, his three children: sons Ben (Michelle) Bradberry and Bart (Lisa) Bradberry, daughter Martha Bradberry, all of Fort Worth, Texas, 7 grandchildren: Matthew and Miles Bradberry, Abby and James Bradberry, Mattie (Parker) Brown, and Emily and Avery Calhoun. He also leaves to cherish his memory his brother and sister -in-law, Wilbert (Marie) Jordan and Mary Ella (Scott) Passmore of Mobile, Alabama as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Dublin, Texas and Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Harry Bradberry.
The Bradberry family wishes expressions of sympathy be made to the
St. Stephen Orthodox Mission Building Fund
℅ Drew Haley, Treasurer
1570 County Road 3213
Hico, Texas 7645
Funeral services for Ronald will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Stephenville Funeral Home with Father Nektarios Eric Morrow officiating. Burial will follow at West End Cemetery. Visitation with the Bradberry family will be Friday 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Stephenville Funeral Home.
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