October 26, 67, Goldsboro
On October 26, 2019, Thomas Andrews Bradshaw, 67, of Goldsboro, died peacefully at home. Cause of death stemmed from complications arising from ALS.
Tom was born March 4, 1952, in Roanoke, VA, the second eldest of four brothers born to the late Betty Tom Andrews Bradshaw and William Boyd Bradshaw Sr. Tom was raised on Greendale Farms in Roanoke, a large family dairy and beef cattle farm where he started working at the age of 9. Tom graduated in 1970 from Northwest High School, where he co-captained the division champion football team and won honors as a two-time Virginia state high school wrestling champion. Tom then received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, at West Point, N.Y. where he was a member of the varsity wrestling team and named a Cadet Captain, and commander of his cadet company. In 1974, Tom was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree and commissioned an officer in the Regular U.S. Army. Tom served six years as a Medical Service Corps officer and another three years as a reserve officer in various medical and infantry units. In 1983, Tom received an Honorable Discharge, with the rank of Captain.
Upon leaving the service, Tom attended Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University (MCV/VCU) in Richmond, VA, where he met his classmate and future wife, Barbara. Tom and Barbara were married in 1982 and moved to Roanoke, VA, where Tom took a position at Roanoke Memorial Hospital as an administrative resident. Following Tom’s graduation from MCV/VCU in 1983 with a Master of Health Administration degree, Roanoke Memorial Hospital promoted Tom to Assistant Vice President. Tom’s reputation as a highly qualified and capable health administration executive took him to a host of successive, increasingly important positions, from Assistant Administrator at Lewis-Gale Hospital in Salem, VA; to President of St. Luke’s Hospital, Columbus, NC ; and then to Vice-President at St. Joseph Center for Life, in Augusta, GA. In 2000, capping his busy and successful health administration career, Tom and Barbara moved their family to Goldsboro, NC, where Tom joined Wayne Memorial Hospital as Vice President, Operations. Tom retired from Wayne Memorial in January 2016.
Tom’s energies and interests extended well beyond his professional accomplishments. Simply put, Tom lived a life of service and genuine commitment to others: He was named a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives; served as Chairman of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce; he was co-chair of the local American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life (in both Augusta, GA, and Wayne County), two-time President of the Three Eagles Rotary Club and Chairman of the Three Eagles Beer Festival (Goldsboro, NC), and President of the Martinez-Evans Rotary Club (Augusta, GA).
Tom also served as Chairman of the Distribution Committee, United Way of Wayne County; Chairman of the Wayne Charitable Partnership; Scoutmaster of Troop 7 (Goldsboro); Deacon at First Presbyterian Church, Goldsboro; and, as a veteran, was a proud member of the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Military Affairs Committee, serving as Honorary Commander of the 4th Medical Group.
Tom was renowned for his ability to bring people together. His invariably calm demeanor, solid judgment and determination to always do the right thing, served him well in all facets of his life. Tom was a natural leader, inspiring confidence in others while treating everyone on his team with utmost respect. He was quick to pass the credit for success to others, while drawing no attention to himself. He was, in turn, a role model and hero to his children and beloved son-in-law, a loving husband, a doting grandfather, and a rock-solid friend, depended upon and genuinely loved by many. He was a home brewer, an avid cyclist (he was a member of the Seyboro Cyclists of Goldsboro), a gardener, a tinkerer-fixer of things, a handy man around the house, and an accomplished woodworker. Tom was, above all else, a man of unquestioned honor and integrity, and sterling character.
Tom is survived by Barbara, his wife of 37 years; his daughter Alice Bradshaw Huneycutt (Sean) of Goldsboro, NC; his son Thomas Andrews Bradshaw ll of Waipahu, HI; and his grandson, Henry Thomas Huneycutt of Goldsboro. He is also survived by his brothers, William B. Bradshaw Jr. of Roanoke, VA; James B. Bradshaw (Lynne) of Clemmons, NC; and Richard L. Bradshaw (Lynn) of Roanoke, VA. He is also survived by many dearly loved cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
A service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2019, in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Robert F. Bardin officiating. The family will greet friends on Friday immediately following the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the ALS Association, NC Chapter, 4 North Blount Street, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC, 27601, or email info@alsnc.org. Donations to First Presbyterian Church, Goldsboro, are also welcome: First Presbyterian Church, 1101 East Ash Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.