Larry Glenn Bradford
1952 - 2025
Larry Glenn Bradford, age 72, of Walnut Cove, passed away Monday evening, March 3, 2025, at
Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He was born May 3, 1952, in
Hugo, Oklahoma, a son of the late Naomi Loraine (Chappell) and Albert Glenn “Jack” Bradford.
Larry graduated from Gruver High School in 1970. A dedicated and hardworking man, he spent
many years cowboying in Montana and Wyoming before transitioning to the oil industry in
Oklahoma and Texas. He later built a successful professional career as a Director in the aviation
industry. Larry was admired and loved by many.
In 2005, Larry met the love of his life, Marlene Marie Schwengels, and they were married in
2012. They created everlasting memories traveling and visiting family in North Carolina,
Arizona, Oklahoma, Illinois, Georgia, Hawaii, Texas, California, Florida, Alabama, and many
more states. From riding motorcycles in Arizona to ziplining in Hawaii to cross-country road
trips with the four pups. More than anything, Larry enjoyed and appreciated every moment
with the family. In these last three years, Larry enjoyed retirement and working on the farm,
especially with the horses, donkeys, and many other animals!
Larry loved everyone and never went without sharing his contagious smile. He always went out
of his way to bring happiness to others, even if it meant telling a silly joke or sharing witty
wisdom. The world has been blessed with Larry’s examples of patience and his many adages!
One of which is, “If God wanted us to live in the past, he would have put our eyes in the back of
our head, and we’d all be walking backwards.” Those of us left on Earth, have a single life to
live, and Larry encouraged living the best life and continuing to move forward through it.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Naomi Lorraine (Chappell) and Oscar Odell
Foreman; father, Albert Glenn “Jack” Bradford; sister, Sherry Kay Brand; brother, James Alton
“Bud” Bradford; and grandson, Dustin Louis Bradford.
Larry is survived by his loving wife, Marlene; his mother and father-in-law, Jeanette and
Norman Schwengels; his children, John Odell Bradford and wife Tonya, Jason Scott Bradford
and wife Amee, Jennifer Elaine Bradford, Caci Mari BeVelle and husband Tim, RJ Cornine III and wife
Heather, Crystal Marie Cornine; his grandchildren, Colby, Nolan, Dawson, Thomas, Emma, Abby, and Joel;
beloved great-grandchildren; and his pups/boys, Buster, Harley, JJ, and Max.
Per his wishes, no funeral or memorial service will be held at this time. The family will honor his
life with a “Celebration of Life” at a later date. Larry will be deeply missed and forever in our
hearts.
Marlene,
I am so sorry for your loss. I only met Larry and few times, but instantly like him. Not only because he was a genuine kind soul, but because I saw the love he had for you and how happy you were together. Life brings us many ups and downs. I know Larry was your up. He was a bright light and his smile was amazing. I know your heart hurts and I’m truly sorry for the loss of your love. He is smiling down on you and will forever be apart of of your life. We are better to have met him. Love you always, Heather
Larry was one of the BEST! He always had a kind word and never met a stranger. He certainly will be missed but he will always be looking down and watching out for his family. When you look up and see a bright start it will be him riding his motorcycle and looking down. RIP good friend.
Markene
The best I can say is, Larry was my “Bud” and I loved him! We worked side by side for six years. Larry was the most hard working, detailed oriented and honest person I ever met. Larry didn’t have a big fancy formal education but, Larry was without any doubt a natural born genius!
Most importantly he was just a down to earth GOOD GUY!
I very sorry you no longer have him with you but, I know he will always be in our hearts!❤️
With love and condolences,
Ron and Libby Utecht
Larry was an amazing man. He was wonderful husband to Marlene, loved by her family, and her friends. He always had a smile and something positive to share. He was a very loving and caring man. He will be greatly missed by those he loved and those He knew.
So so sorry for your loss.
Rest in peace. Mr Larry . always a gentleman..you will be missed