Jerry Bradshaw

Jerry Bradshaw Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 24, 1954 to Jerry Sr. and Maggie Mae Bradshaw. He was the second oldest of 5 children from this union. He had four older sisters from Jerry Senior's previous marriage. In 1963, The Bradshaws moved from Chicago to Bakersfield, CA, where Jerry resided for most of his life. After Jerry Senior's passing, Maggie Mae married Willie Rupert and Jerry gained 5 more siblings. Most of his large family still lives in Chicago and Bakersfield. Jerry was an art prodigy and free spirit with a sharp tongue and loving heart. In the first grade, his teacher found one of his drawings in a trash can and his talent was discovered. In high school, he won an award for his art and another one of his teachers even displayed his artwork on his fireplace mantel in his home. Throughout his life, he was commissioned to paint individual and family portraits and many families around Bakersfield still own some of his artwork. He eventually moved on to painting houses and other buildings and was contracted by both private owners and construction companies. Perfectionist at heart, he took his time with every building because he wanted them "painted right." Jerry considered himself a wanderer. He unapologetically lived by his own rules. In his own words, he preferred to live on his own terms and come and go as he pleased. However, after an almost 15 year separation, God brought him back to his high school sweetheart, Edna. They married on April 19, 1991 and raised three children together. Through thick and thin, Jerry and Edna remained devoted to each other, weathering many storms with an everlasting love that will last even beyond death. In addition to painting, Jerry loved jazz music, playing cards, the beach, and barbecuing. Many of his family and friends would say he had the best barbecue in town. Jerry is preceded in death by his father and mother, stepfather, and siblings Mattie, Glanoli, Mary, Martha, Richard (nickname Bull), Carl, and Patricia Ann(nickname Retha). He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife, Edna, children Chester(Shawna), Calvin, and Candice (Alejandro), siblings Deborah, Sandra, Vester Senior, Willie (nickname Jay), and Travis, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws. Jerry was one of a kind and will forever be in our hearts.