David "Demp" Bradley died peacefully at his Las Vegas, NV, home on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, with his family at his side, after a short battle with cancer.

Born in Tryon, NC, on November 23, 1929, to George Hampton Bradley and Annie Belle (Cannon) Bradley, he was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dan, George, and William (Bill); sister, Ruth; son, David DeWitt Bradley Jr. (3/24/55); and daughter, LauRee (6/22/92).

David graduated from Spartanburg High in 1948 and joined the Naval Reserve. In order to be with his identical twin brother Dan, David was honorably discharged from the Navy and joined the Air Force in 1950. With the help of his older brother Bill's boss, James Byrnes (Secretary of State under FDR), David and his twin brother Dan were reunited and amazed that not only would they be together, but stationed at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV.

David and Betty Sue Key, his high school sweetheart, were married on February 16, 1952, and Betty soon joined David in Las Vegas for the remainder of his Air Force career. The couple returned to Spartanburg SC in November 1954 for the birth of their first child David DeWitt Bradley Jr. (born March 14, 1955). After the baby's death, David and Betty moved that May to Chattanooga, TN where David was employed as a sales rep for Lever Brothers Soap Company. Both returned to Las Vegas on Memorial Day, 1958 where David wanted to once again be near his twin brother (and his wife Rose Marie Neal) who remained in Las Vegas after their days at Nellis.

David served as Territory Manager for B.F. Goodrich Tire Company from 1959-1973. From 1973-1985 he worked at Vegas Tire and Accessories. David then retired in 2007 after working 22 years for AllState Rent-a-Car at McCarran Airport.

David's largest single contribution to anyone that met him was his personality. There is not one person that has met him that would not have seen his humorous side. Even in his final days, both in the hospital and resting at home, David's incredible sense of humor remained.

There is no question that David Bradley made a lot of friends over the years. He was a common man yet had one of the greatest gifts of generosity. He visited more people in the hospital and took care of people when they were in need; whether it was lending a car, providing rides to the doctor, or lending money, regardless if he had it to give or not.

David is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty; children, Betsy and Blake; siblings, Beth Bradley and Emily Reid; grandchildren: SaraBeth (23), Lauren Paige (13), and Brett Daniel (12). David also has many other nephews and nieces throughout South Carolina, Georgia and Las Vegas.

David will be greatly missed by all that knew him; whether great friends or passing acquaintances.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in David's name to your favorite charity or the wonderful people at Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 Swenson St., Las Vegas, NV 89139.

Published in the Spartanburg Herald Journal
Sunday, October 31, 2010

David "Demp" Bradley

A graveside interment service for David "Demp" Bradley was held at 2:00 PM Saturday, June 2, 2012, at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, conducted by Pastor Benjamin Littlejohn and Rev. Lynda Foster Moore.

"Demp" passed away in Las Vegas, NV on October 26, 2010 and he had requested that his final resting place be near his twin brother and infant son.

A small "celebration of life" took place immediately after the service.

Published in Spartanburg Herald-Journal from May 27 to May 28, 2012