Gary Wayne Bradshaw passed away October 14, 2020 at his home in Bellmead, TX. Arrangements will be held at Bellmead Funeral Home, Bellmead, TX. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 22, 2020 from 10 am to noon with service following at 2 pm.
Gary was born on August 4, 1946 in Prairie Hill, TX to William
Carlis and Eula Allen Bradshaw. Raised
on a farm and with older siblings, Walter Carrol and Betty Jo, grown and out of
the house, his closest companion was his dog, Skipper. It was there that he learned his love of
music with a guitar he saved for. He was
a self-taught mechanic and started working at Bird-Kultgen Ford at age 20,
among other places. At night, he would
play music in bands like Trade Winds, The Chalk Bluff Band, and The Texas
Drifters (formally known as the Good Ole Boys) who would back musicians like
Sylvia, Alabama, Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, and many others. He was a pilot and became involved in
ultralight aircrafts at Texas Dream Machines in Nolanville. He had two very special bonds with his
ringed-neck dove, Woobaroo, and a Mart pigeon he adopted, Peep Peep. He had
various hobbies such as fishing, water skiing, horses, computer (also
self-taught) and especially his special connection to bird of any kind, some
thought of him as a bird-whisperer. But
above all of his numerous accomplishments were his daughter, Kim, and
reconnecting with the love of his life and marrying her on April 22, 2000 to
Martha.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, William Carlis
Bradshaw in 1992; his mother, Eula Allen Williams Bradshaw in 1978; brother,
Walter Carrol Williams in 2009; sister, Betty Jo Little in 1986; and
sister-in-law, Elaine Todd Williams in 2016.
Gary is survived by his wife of 20
years, Martha Woodard Cassell Bradshaw; daughter, Kim Bradshaw Reymundo and
husband Danny of Temple; step-son, Gary
Wayne Cassell Jr of Waco; step-daughter, Tanya Rodriquez and husband, John of
Mart; sister-in-laws, Mary (Sissy) Magee of Waco; Margaret Philyaw and Marlin
of Waco; brother-in-laws, Wilbert Woodard of Waco; David Woodard and wife,
Joann of Riesel; nieces, Pat Curry and husband, Billy Tom of Mart; Lanelle
Crawford and husband, Russ of Kerens; Beverly Fambro and husband, Alex of
Stephenville; Cindy Girard and husband, Sonny of Waco; 7 grandchildren, and 12
great-grand children, and numerous family member from Waco, Mart and Amarillo,
TX.
In lieu of flowers, please donate
in honor of Gary to Cameron Park Zoo Bird Sanctuary