Gary “Pete” Dean Bradham, 76, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 3:25 am November 23, 2021, at GreenTree Memory Care in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
He was born March 16, 1945, in Effingham, Illinois, to the late Oakley Vernon and Mary Kay (Dye) Bradham. Their home was in Edgewood, Il. Pete married his high school sweetheart Sharon (Martin) Bradham on August 14, 1965, in Effingham, Illinois.
In addition to his loving wife of fifty-six years, Pete is survived by his son, Collin Bradham of Mount Vernon, Illinois; daughter, Amanda Bradham-Little and husband, Jason of St. Charles, Missouri; grandson, Tyler Martin Bradham of St. Charles, Missouri; brother, James V. Bradham and wife, C.J. of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister, Carol Ann Davis of Pensacola, Florida; and several nieces and nephews. Pete was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed.
In Effingham high school, Pete was the quarterback for the football team and co-captain of the basketball team while maintaining a 4.0-grade average. He was appointed to the Air Force Academy and served in the reserves. He had a B.S. in Chemical engineering from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology and worked as an organic chemical production supervisor until returning to school for his MBA from Krannert Graduate School, Purdue University. He worked as a management consultant with Arthur Andersen Company and Arthur Young Company in Chicago and San Diego, CA, respectively. A family business brought the Bradhams to Mt. Vernon, and Pete grew the company to 10 retail grocery stores in Illinois. After the sale of the business, he said, “he attempted retirement” but found it wanting. He started several businesses under The Bradham Group. Pete cared for and valued all those with whom he worked. He was a good listener to his friends and quietly gave help to many. His caring nature was only accentuated by his deadpan sense of humor.Pete served on the State Board of Citizen’s Bank, Mt. Vernon, and Board of Directors of Hodgson Mill, Inc, in Kentucky. He was a member and officer of YPO, Young President’s Organization. Pete was a long-time member and President of the Rotary Club in Mount Vernon, President of the United Methodist Children’s Home Foundation, and served on the Mt. Vernon Revolving Loan Committee. He received the Small Business Person of the year award in 1983 from the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. He served as Lay Leader at First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon as well as in other positions. He particularly enjoyed teaching the adult Sunday School in his church.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Friday, December 3, 2021, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Celebration of Life will begin at 4:00 pm with Reverend Victor Long officiating. Memorials may be made in Pete’s honor to the Parkinson’s Foundation, First United Methodist Church, and Cedarhurst Center for the Arts. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
