Paul Cullen Bradford

PAUL CULLEN BRADFORD Born 9/25/1923 Died 4/17/2015 Paul Cullen Bradford was born on September 25, 1923 in Rushville, Illinois. He grew up in a small farming community (population ca. 500) in western-central Illinois where his parents, Bertram Cullen Bradford and Oliva DeWeese Schenk, operated a Ford dealership and later a hardware store. He had a sister, Janet, 10 years younger than he. He graduated from High School in Table Grove in 1941 in a class of 11. He enrolled in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) immediately thereafter. In 1943, Paul entered military service and, because of his two years of university credits, was assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program. After basic training at Ft. Benning, he was sent to Alabama Polytech for further engineering study. But after only a few months, the entire ASTP was disbanded and most of the participants in the program were assigned to infantry services. Paul was assigned to the 86th (Blackhawk) Infantry Division, a member of Co. L (rifle company), 341st Infantry Regiment. The Division trained with the Marines as an amphibious assault unit for duty in the Pacific Theatre of Operations (PTO). But, as a consequence of the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944, the 86th Division was moved by troop train from San Luis Obispo, CA to Boston, MA for shipment to France. The Blackhawks were first committed to combat near Cologne, crossed the Rhine, and closed the Ruhr pocket from the south. The Division then pushed southeast into Bavaria, crossing the Danube at Ingolstadt. On VE Day, Paul was in Austria, near Salzburg. Paul wrote: “Because we had been trained for the Pacific, we were pulled back immediately after VE Day and were the first full division to return to the U.S. We received a fantastic welcome when we arrived in New York harbor. As we sailed up the Hudson past the Statue of Liberty, we were greeted with a chorus of tugboat whistles, fire boat water displays and the Andrews Sisters singing on a harbor boat that accompanied us all the way to the dock area.” Paul continued: “We were given a short leave and then re-assembled for transfer to the Pacific Theatre. We were still in the U.S. when the first atomic bomb was dropped. But we shipped out, and on VJ Day we were sitting on transport ships in the harbor of Ulithi Atoll. We sailed the next day with full running lights on all ships in the convoy! I spent the next six or seven months on Luzon, chasing down Japanese stragglers who didn’t know the war was over.” Corporal Paul Bradford’s U.S. Army service was from August 5, 1943 to April 5, 1946. He was an honored soldier: World War II Medal, Bronze Star (European Theatre) (one of only 45 awarded in the entire 86th Division), Good Conduct Medal, and Combat Infantry. He had Marksman Designation with rifle and carbine. After discharge in 1946, Paul returned to the University of Illinois where he graduated in 1948 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He went to work with Shell Oil Company, and stayed with the same company for 38 years. His assignments were both in operations supervision and technical capacities in several refinery locations and Head Office Manufacturing. He developed particular expertise in the catalytic cracking process and was recognized as an expert in the field. In fact, Paul developed a process using centrifugal force that improved the output of usable/saleable product from a 55-gallon barrel of crude from approximately 50 percent to over 90 percent! This highly significant invention literally changed the world’s economy with respect to the oil industry! Interestingly, he never mentioned his invention to his kids as Paul was always extremely humble about his achievements. Similarly, Paul never revealed to his family the actions during World War II that earned him a Bronze Star. According to Paul, “Oh, scads of fellas got them.” Certainly not true! On June 2, 1947, Paul married Norma Jean LaRue (born May 18, 1927) of Ipava, IL, another small farming community near Paul’s home in Table Grove, IL. Jean joined Paul willingly in the nomadic wanderings of an oilman’s career and led the way in the upbringing of their children: Barbara Jean, Bert Larue and Bruce Cullen. Paul and Jean moved from Houston to Leisure World in Mesa when Paul retired from Shell in 1986. They were married for 48 years. Jean developed a brain cancer and, after a very brief illness, died July 9, 1995. A bit later, Paul became acquainted with another Leisure World resident, Betty Corbit Casselman, who had also lost her spouse to cancer. They soon found that they had many common interests, and were married on July 20, 1996. This union created a family of six “kids,” eight grandchildren and, currently, eight great grandchildren. In March 2005, Paul and Betty moved from Leisure World to Friendship Village Tempe. Despite Paul’s passing, the members of the “Bradford Bunch” and the “Casselman Clan” will continue forward together in Paul’s honor. Throughout his life, Paul was an excellent student and a musician. He played trumpet and baritone in bands. He sang throughout his life in choirs, choruses and quartets. One of his great loves in retirement was as a 10-year member of the “Phabulous Phoenicians” male-only barbershop chorus! This chorus competed with other such groups and won numerous awards and honors. Paul enjoyed the singing, choreography, costumes, camaraderie and travel nationally and internationally. Paul Bradford was a 10th generation descendant of Gov. Wm. Bradford of Plymouth Colony (founded 1620 in MA). During most of his life he was a member of Presbyterian or Methodist churches in several states. In Metairie, LA, Paul and Jean were founding members of a Presbyterian Church. Paul was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of IL, the American Legion (most recently, the Mesa Post No. 26), the Alumni Association of the University of Illinois, a Charter Member of the World War II Museum in New Orleans, LA, and Kiwanis International (at Friendship Village Tempe). As a kid, he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. Paul Bradford could converse with anyone on any topic anywhere in the world! Although Paul did not speak a lot, when he did so it was considered worthwhile for others to listen! He was a great host and bartender. Also, he was a ballroom and square dancer, and even became a square dance caller for a brief period. In retirement after taking a lapidary and a silver smith class, he became an exceptional visual artist by making jewelry. Paul’s struggle with the advanced stages of Parkinson’s over the last 18 months of his life was very difficult for him as it was for his family to watch. His truly remarkable resilience was evident every step of the way. Were it not for the nurses, doctors, shower “angels,” social workers, volunteer visitors and chaplain of Hospice of the Valley, the struggle would have been even more difficult. Hence, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in honor of Paul Cullen Bradford be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix AZ 85014-5656. Lastly, and most of all, Paul Bradford served his family and his country well and with honor, dignity and humility. Paul was the perfect father figure and male role model for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Paul was a gentleman with a positive outlook on life, a generous heart and a true love of God.

Paul Cullen Bradford

September 25, 1923 - April 17, 2015