John Thomas Bradford, Jr., 62, of California, Maryland, departed this life, January 25, 2012, at his residence. He was born March 4, 1949 in Painter, Virginia. He was the son of John Thomas Bradford, Sr. and Phyllis Odessa Lenora Upshur. He grew up in Painter (North Hampton County), Virginia and Carver Heights, Lexington Park, Maryland.

John accepted Christ at an early age while attending Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Painter, VA. As a young man he also attended First Missionary Baptist Church in Lexington Park, MD with his family. First Missionary Baptist was the church of his heart for many years.

John began his educational training in the North Hampton County (Eastern Shore) Virginia. When John was 11 years old, his family relocated to St. Mary's County Maryland. His father was employed as an Industrial Arts teacher in the St. Mary's County Public School System.

John attended George Washington Carver School and graduated from Great Mills High School in June 1967. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland—Eastern Shore (UMES), a Masters of Arts in Education from George Washington University and he completed all of the required advance courses toward an Ed Doctorate Degree at Nova Southeastern University.

John embarked on several employment paths. He was a cab driver for the Friendly Cab Company in Lexington Park. In 1973, he started his teaching career as a long term substitute teacher at Park Hall Elementary School and later that same year, he was hired to teach instrumental music at Banneker Elementary and Chopticon High School. He was an Assistant Principal at the following schools: Margaret Brent Middle School, Spring Ridge Middle School and Leonardtown High School.

John met the love of his life, Mary Alice Elizabeth Speed who was also a teacher with the St. Mary's County Public Schools. They were joined in holy matrimony October 16, 1976 at the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Oxford, NC and enjoyed over 35 years of marital bliss.

John was an educational leader and was appointed to several positions. He was an Assistant Principal at the following schools: Margaret Brent Middle School, Spring Ridge Middle School and Leonardtown High School. He served as Principal at Great Mills Elementary and Mechanicsville Elementary. He retired June 2008, after working 35 plus years in the St. Mary's County Public Schools. After his retirement, John enjoyed working as a Substitute Teacher at Chopticon High School and Spring Ridge Middle School.

During John's tenure in the school system, he volunteered many hours in support of young people involved in the Upward Bound Club and the Gentlemen Club. He held recognition programs and took the Youth in our community on numerous fieldtrips on college campuses throughout the Delmarva area.

John was avid fan of all sports. Watching sports games on ESPN was a favorite activity. He was an umpire more than 25 years and traveled all over the state of Maryland and to some parts of Virginia and DC. He attended numerous umpire clinics to help improve his skills as an umpire. He participated in the Maryland Athletic Association Officials; Tri-County Sports Officials Association—Southern Maryland; National Umpires Clinic and the World Tourney Slow-Pitch Softball Clinic.

John was an active a member of the Lexington Park Lions Club. Since 1982, John was a supportive Connecting Link with the Southern Maryland Chain Chapter, the Links, Incorporated. As a result of his tireless efforts in the community, John received numerous awards, honors and citations.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, George Thomas & Sarah Bradford and James Henry & Sarah Upshur; and his mother-in-law, Mary Lee Thorpe Speed.

Survivors include his faithful and devoted wife of 35 years, Mary Alice Elizabeth Speed-Bradford of California, MD; his siblings, Phyllis Lenora Bradford of Lexington Park, MD, Carrella Quincy Jubilee of Fort Washington, MD and Wayne Lyndon Bradford of Columbia, MD; Nieces, Sheanna, Jessica, Lynn and Brittany; Nephews, Wayne Lyndon II, Clyde and Curtis Jr.; Great nephew, Quintin and 10 other great nieces and great nephews; Aunts, Laura Rowley of Brooklyn, NY and Theresa Baines of Painter, VA; Father-in-law, Luther Gray Speed of Oxford, NC; Sister-in-law, Lucy Mae Hamilton of Durham, NC; Brother-in-law, Luther Edward Speed (Anita) of Durham, NC; Godsons, Corey & Keith Wilson of Lexington Park, MD; Special friends, Delores Harris Wilson and Vernon Thomas of Lexington Park, MD, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in The First Missionary Baptist Church, 47359 Lincoln Avenue, Lexington Park, MD with the Rev. Roderick W. McClanahan pastor of the church officiating. The family will receive friends for John's Life Celebration at the church from 10:00 to service time at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow the Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.