Nick “Shorty” Bradley Jr., 78, of the Wolftown Community passed away on Feb. 12, 2014 at his residence. Shorty is the son of the late Nick Bradley Sr. and Edith Hart Bradley. Shorty was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee. He is a veteran of the Army serving from 1953-1956. He worked at the Cherokee Boys Club and retired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Road Division. Shorty was a fan of the UNC Tarheels and Dale Earnhardt (NASCAR) and also enjoyed bear hunting, fishing and camping.
Along with his parents, Shorty is preceded in death by brothers, John, Jarrett, Joe and Russell Bradley; one sister, Betty Crowe; daughter, Janet Lee Bradley and grandson Chester Ray Sequoyah.
Shorty is survived by his wife of 57 years Wanda Lee Smith Bradley; children, Frankie Bradley, Dean Bradley and wife Terri, Pebbles Blankenship and husband Jerry, Bobby Bradley and Mary Cagle, Victoria Bradley and Brian Waldroup; brothers, Red and Hammond Bradley; sister, Clara Jean Huskey. Shorty also leaves behind five grandchildren, all of Cherokee, and three great-grandchildren, two of Cherokee and one of Tennessee as well as many loving friends.
A visitation was held on Feb. 14 at Long House Funeral Home. The funeral service was also held there with Military Honors. Burial followed at John Bradley Cemetery, and pallbearers included: Chris Blankenship, Jeremy Blankenship, Matt Smith, Charles Bryson, Aaron Williams and James Raby. Mr. Ray Kinsland officiated.
Long House Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.