Jimmy Lee Bradshaw Jr., age 62, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. We're here to celebrate a life well-lived, a legacy of love, and a man of great resilience and a dedicated pillar of the Coffeyville community.
Jim was born on September 22, 1961, in Coffeyville, Kansas to Jim and Patty (Pogue) Bradshaw. He grew up in Coffeyville where he attended local schools and made many lifelong friends and acquaintances. On October 24, 1980, he married his best friend, Linda Stevens in Coffeyville where they made their home. Together they raised three great children, Dawn, Jimmy and Aaron Bradshaw. Jim was not just a loving husband to his wife Linda, but also a devoted family man who relished in watching his family grow.
He loved living life with Linda by his side, they shared many wonderful adventures, including exciting cruises and trips to Branson, Missouri. He was a talented craftsman, especially woodworking. Jim was also a mild weather motorcycle rider, always waiting for that perfect time and temperature to rev up his engine and hit the open road.
Jim was the patriarch of the Bradshaw family. He was a man of great strength for his family, and a proud supporter for every milestone, big and small, for his wife, children and grandchildren. Their achievements were his achievements, their joys, his joys. His family knew him as their Mr. Fix-It, mediator, landscaper, electrician, mentor and the one to call no matter the situation. His signature phrase, "Now wait a minute..." often accompanied by a unique wrinkle of his nose and a slight sucking of air through his teeth, signaled that he was about to tackle a challenge head-on. You could say he was resilient, but that would be an understatement; this man was practically indestructible.
Nicknamed 'Big Jim' by his co-workers, he was a man who knew how to get things done. His career with the City of Coffeyville began in July of 1981, earning his stripes in the water/wastewater distribution and collection department. His resilience was on full display when he took on the role of Disaster Recovery Coordinator after the 2007 flood, a role in which he truly shined. Jim climbed the ranks reaching the title of Director of Public Works, where he had a knack for turning "public works" into "public miracles". Upon his retirement in September of 2023, his legacy with the city will remain etched in the hearts of those he worked with.
Surviving to cherish Jim’s memory is his loving wife and best friend, Linda Bradshaw of the home, daughter, Dawn Marie Bradshaw of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, sons, Jimmy Bradshaw and wife, Tiffany of Coffeyville, Kansas, Aaron Bradshaw and wife, Adrienne of Independence, Kansas, a bonus son, Mike Burroughs and family of Coffeyville, Kansas, grandchildren, Gabrielle (Dalton) Hoppock, Jacob (Heather) Kimball, Breanna, Jacey, Brooklynne and Avalon Bradshaw, Aondrea, Zachuriah, and Carsyn Adame, Cayden Christopher, Nathan Xavier, C.J., Tres Jeremy and Jentree Nicole, great-grandson, Bentley James, sisters, Kimberly Armstrong, Melissa (Richard) Mattick and Lacey (Brandon) Hix, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended relatives and so many friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Pat Bradshaw, his grandson, Colten Lee Bradshaw, and his brothers, Ricky and Timothy Bradshaw.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024, at Grace Fellowship Church in Coffeyville. The casket will be open for viewing at 10:00 a.m. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m.
Following Jim’s wishes, cremation will take place following the service under the direction of David W. Barnes Funeral Home.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s honor to the (International Association of Firefighters) IAFF Local 265; these may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home 306 N. Cline Rd. Coffeyville, Kansas 67337. Jim spent his life helping others; he made a choice to be an organ donor. Due to his selfless choice to be a donor, he has saved the life of others since his passing.
The Bradshaw family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and kindness extended to them during this difficult time. We invite you to remember Jim not with sadness, but with the joy and laughter he brought into our lives. Please feel free to share your favorite memories, stories, and photos of Jim on his memorial page at www.dwbfh.com
