Duane Bradford

Duane A. Bradford, resident of Tucumcari, New Mexico, passed away Sunday, November 26, 2023 at the age of 92.

He was born in Hillsdale County, Michigan where his family farmed. Duane is the second child born to Kenneth and Gertrude Bradford. The family moved to Arizona where he graduated from Scottsdale High School only 24 in his class.

Following graduation, Duane joined the Air Force on October 13, 1950. He was stationed at Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he served as mechanic on a B-50 Super Fortress Bomber. While in the Air Force, he earned a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He met and married Barbara Ellen Burgin during his tour at Kirkland. After he finished his service in the Air Force in 1954, he and Barbara moved to Arizona and started their family with three sons.

In Arizona he worked as a ranch hand for McCormick Ranch and Brusally Ranches.

Eventually he and Barbara and their three boys moved back to Albuquerque where they added two daughters to their family. Duane began working for Davis Construction Company. He acquired a pilot’s license that allowed him fly to different construction sites around the state. Eventually he joined the teamsters union and  drove for Consolidated Freightways for many years. When the trucking company moved the Albuquerque operation to Tucumcari, he and Barbara followed. Barbara passed not long after moving to Tucumcari. He later married Wanda Phillips. She also passed away and Duane didn’t remarry. He retired from Consolidated Freightways with honors such as the Million Mile Award and the Two Million Mile Award. 

Duane is survived by his four children: William Bradford, Carl Bradford, Cheryl Bradford Cindy Ridgeway, his sister Suzie Perow, nine grand-children, 10 great grand-children, many nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son Michael Bradford, his brothers Kenneth and Gaylon Bradford.

He will be buried next to his wife Barbara and his son at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 7999 Wyoming Blvd. NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109. Services will be announced  at a later time. 

Mr. Bradford's care has been entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435.  575-472-3369.  To place an online tribute or condolence, kindly visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.