Donald Ray Bradley, 92, of Sedalia, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

He was born on October 8, 1933, in Carbondale, Illinois, the son of Merrill Marcus and Mildred Mae (Wright) Bradley, both of whom preceded him in death.

On August 25, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois, Don was united in marriage to Geraldine Pearl Bradley, who preceded him in death on April 18, 1986. On November 1, 1986, in Marion, Illinois, he was united in marriage to Suzanne (Stanley) Morgan, who preceded him in death on May 13, 2023.

Don grew up in southern Illinois in the Carbondale and Marion areas. He proudly and honorably served his country in the United States Air Force from 1952 until 1956 during the Korean War era. His military service took him to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas; Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado; and the Chicago area.

Following his military service, Don attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where he earned a degree in industrial engineering. He went on to enjoy a successful career as a plant manager, helping companies grow and improve their operations through greater efficiency, strong leadership, and teamwork. His career took him and his family to several communities. He was the first Plant Manager of Gardner Denver in Sedalia, Missouri, in 1979 and retired in 1999 from Greenfield Industries in Clemson, South Carolina.

Don believed that a successful workplace began with taking care of its people. He made an effort to know his employees personally and treated them with dignity and respect. He believed that when people felt valued, they would give their best in return. Don led by example, earned the respect of those who worked alongside him, and built strong teams wherever his career took him. He will be remembered not only for his professional accomplishments, but also for the genuine care and concern he showed to others.

His Christian faith was an important part of his life. Don was a faithful member of Utica Baptist Church in Seneca, South Carolina, for more than 35 years. After moving to Sedalia, he most recently attended Bethany Baptist Church. Sharing the Gospel and bringing people to Jesus were very important parts of Don's Christian faith. Don was a faithful Deacon as well.

In his spare time, Don enjoyed playing golf and following his favorite sports teams. He especially enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals, Indiana University basketball, and Notre Dame football.

Don is survived by three daughters, Barbara Livingston and her husband, Marc, of Warsaw, Missouri, Lynda Allen and her husband, Jeff, of North Carolina, and Diana O'Connor and her husband, Jim, of Sedalia; one son, John Bradley and his wife, Teresa, of Springfield, Missouri; his grandchildren, Adam, Derek, Shawn, Dustin, Katie, Tyler, Erin, Stacy, and Michael; seventeen great-grandchildren; one sister, Janet Sue Payne of Arkansas; and three nieces, Jane, Debbie, and Diane.

In addition to his parents and wives, Don was preceded in death by a grandson, Bradley O'Connor, and a brother, James Bradley.

A celebration of Don's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Rea Funeral Chapel. Full military honors will be conducted by the United States Air Force and the VFW Post #2591.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the service begins at the chapel.

Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sedalia.

Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Miller, Ron Calvert, Don Harper, Pete Platt, and Roger Molde.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sedalia-Pettis County Habitat for Humanity or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.