Mr. Eckel C. Bradley Sr.

January 11, 1925 - March 5, 2018

Eckel Clifton “Brad” Bradley, Sr., 93, passed away at home on March 5, 2018. He was a lifelong resident of Asheville born on January 11, 1925. He was the son of the late Clyde W. Bradley, Sr. and Annie Boone Harmon. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Col. C.W. Bradley, Jr., sisters, Helen B. Krickhan and Margaret B. Hudson. Brad graduated from Lee Edwards High in 1943 and attended Asheville Biltmore College. The highlight of his time at Lee Edwards was playing football on the 1941 and 1942 undefeated teams with Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, 3rd degree Mason at Biltmore Lodge 446, a 50 year member of First Baptist Church and was a member of the Fishers of Men Bible Class. He was President of the Asheville Sales and Marketing Club, Lee Edwards Dad’s Club, member of the Civitan Club and very active in the American Cancer Society. He was an avid UNC Tar Heel fan and a 45 year member of the UNC Rams Club. He was a member of the Asheville Country Club where he loved playing golf with the infamous “Bandits Group”. From 1950, he spent his entire career in the coal sales industry, working for two different coal companies for over twenty years. In 1970, he started his own successful company Blue Gem Coal Sales Company for 48 years until his death. In his semi-retirement he was in Guest Relations at the Biltmore House. He looked forward to hosting the school tours and working with his wonderful fellow associates. He is survived by his wife, Rita Cook Bradley; son, E.C. “Chip” Bradley, Jr. (Pam) of Charlotte; and daughter, Dianne Bradley Farabow (John) of Raleigh. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Boone Bradley (Ava), Katherine St. Thomas, William Farabow (Meg), Bradley Farabow and four great grandchildren, Katelyn, Annalise, Cooper and Bo. He is also survived by a sister in law, Elizabeth Griffiths, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 10, 2018 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Asheville. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St., Asheville, NC 28801 or the American Cancer Society of Buncombe County Unit, 120 Executive Park Building 1, Asheville, NC 28801. The family would like to thank CarePartners Hospice for their care and compassion. Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Ave., is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent through the website, www.morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com