ROBERT LEWIS BRADFORD, 78, died Oct. 20,
2002 in Ranger, TX, with burial in Mount Zion
Cemetery at Frankell, TX.
He was born Nov. 30, 1923 in Weatherford, TX to
Roy & Jessie Bradford. He attended Ranger High
School in the Class of 1941 at Ranger, TX. He
served in the U.S. Army during WWII & married
Dorothy Allene Stuard in 1950. She died in 2012.
His siblings were Ruby Bradford, Annie Bradford
(RHS-1938), & Walter Bradford (RHS-1939).
SON: ROBERT WAYNE BRADFORD, a dedicated
husband, father, and public servant, departed this
life on March 22, 2025.
Born on June 16, 1953, in Ranger, TX, Wayne was
the son of Robert L. Bradford (RHS-1941) & Dorothy
Stuard Bradford. He graduated from Breckenridge High
School in 1971 and continued his education at Cisco
Jr. College, laying the foundation for a life devoted
to service.
In Aug. of 1972, Wayne married the love of his life,
Jerre Hesson, in Breckenridge. Together, they embarked
on a journey filled with love, laughter, and service
to their community.
Wayne began his career in law enforcement in Feb. of
1974 with the Texas Department of Public Safety for
seven and a half years, then took a break to join his
father in the "oil patch".
He reentered law enforcement in 1994 with the Eastland
County Sheriff's Office as a jailor and worked his way
through the ranks to Chief Deputy. He obtained his Master
Peace Officer Award in 2006.
In 1997, he ran for and was elected Eastland County
Sheriff, an office he proudly held for 24 years. He
served with dignity and was honored to have faithfully
served the citizens of Eastland County.
Wayne & Jerre built their home North of Ranger, where
they raised two daughters, Kelley and Kayce. The girls
blessed them with four beautiful grandchildren-Taylor,
Brady, Emma and Reese. Wayne's eyes would always light
up when he talked (well, bragged) about them!
Wayne was a faithful member and deacon of First Baptist
Church Eastland, where he led Men of Honor, a men's
prayer breakfast group. He also co-led the Praise
Sunday school class for many years. He found joy in
the simple pleasures of life, often spending time
tinkering in his workshop and pursuing his passion
for woodworking. As a Mason, he embraced the values
of brotherhood and community service.
Wayne is survived by his beloved wife, Jerre; his
daughters, Kelley Decker and Kayce Ladd (Allen);
grandsons, Taylor Decker, Brady Decker, and Reese
Decker; granddaughter, Emma Ladd; his sister, Nancy
McClure (Ed); and numerous nieces and nephews,
all of whom will cherish his memory.