Donald Bradley, whose heart was big and love of horses even bigger, died of leukemia at Presbyterian Hospital's Hospice (Main) in Charlotte, NC. He suffered and has gone to His Maker for comfort. He spent several months at Quillen Veterans Hospital, Mountain Home, Tennessee (Johnson City) being treated.

Don was born to Bertha Bowers and Samuel Bradley and grew up in Bluff City, Tennessee, following the death of his father when he was two. He learned to love horses (and hate school). His stepfather Pete Phelps died while Don was young, also, and his current stepfather is Dennis Rasnick. His mother preceded him in death, along with his brother, Bennie, who also was a horseman and loved by many.

Don spent most of his life working with Saddlebred show horses. He worked for Renfrow Hauser DVM with champion roadsters, with Dwight O'Kelley, Ivan Tester, Cash Lovell and Cash Lovell, Jr., Randy Cole, Lewis Eckard and spent several years overseeing the breeding farm All-Well in Pfafftown, NC, home of many world’s champions. He also worked for Claude Shiflet in Asheboro, NC and Steve Gassen in Taylorsville, NC. He was especially proud of helping with Centerfold, many time world’s champion hackney pony, 98 Degrees, world’s champion pleasure horse, Little Auctioneer, many times champion roadster pony, Hia Lad, world’s champion roadster horse, and of being the trainer of Chocolate Soldier, state champion amateur roadster pony and reserve winner at Lexington Junior League, Kentucky. In later years, he also trained and showed miniature horses with the assistance of Joe Beck (deceased).

Don is remembered by his wife, Lisa Rudisill Bradley, long time publications coordinator of The United Methodist Children's Home, Winston-Salem, NC; his brother, David Bradley of Coral Gables, Fl.; his sister, Pat Taylor (husband, Rick) of Bluff City; his stepfather, Dennis Rasnick; his aunt, Jean Osborne, of Bluff City; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Rudisill of Charlotte; his sister-in-law, Cheryl Rudisill of Charlotte; his uncles Wayne and Clyde Bowers; numerous cousins, neices and nephews chiefly of Bluff City and Charlotte.

In 2000, Don and Lisa went to Washington, D. C. and stayed at Watergate Apts. where they were sent by The Children's Home to see about obtaining two presidential gift mares (from the President of Argentina) to be taken to The Children's Home and used by children for riding. It was the thrill of their lives! In one evening, Don taught up to 30 children at the home riding lessons while he was employed there. He loved kids.