Ronald M. Bradley

Ronald M. Bradley, of Conyers, Ga., one of the most successful high school basketball coaches in the history of prep sports in the United States won his final victory on October 3, when he died peacefully in his sleep at home, joining, Jan, his wife of 71 years in eternal rest. Mrs. Bradley passed away in July. Coach Bradley was 90 years old at the time of his passing.

He was born on Nov. 19, 1934 in Manchester, GA to Charlie Winston Bradley and Sallie Fannie Bradley, and was raised in Avondale, in DeKalb County, where he was a star athlete in football, baseball and basketball. After graduating from Avondale, he attended the University of Georgia where he lettered in baseball and basketball, leading the Georgia baseball team to back-to-back SEC Championships in 1954 and 1955, being named Most Valuable Player in the process. At the time of his demise, he was the oldest surviving UGA basketball letterman.

Coach Bradley always referred to his accomplishments in the plural “we,” referring to his lifetime mate and partner, wife Jan, who was never far from his side and attended all but five of the thousands of games he coached through the decades. Their coaching career began at Newton County High School in Covington, where in 17 years his teams won 430 games against 68 losses, 14 region titles and the AA State Championship in 1964. Over the course of these years his teams would gain national attention by winning a record 129 straight games in the Newton High gymnasium that would come to be known as the original “Death Valley”. He also coached baseball at Newton County and won many region titles in that sport as well.

After leaving Newton County, Bradley made many other coaching stops, including George Walton Academy, Trinity Christian, Loganville, Piedmont Academy, Port St. Jo, Florida, a second stop in Newton County, Greater Atlanta Christian and Heritage High School. Over the course of this remarkable 49-year career he achieved a basketball record of 1372-413. He was 1,019-322 as a boys’ coach and 353-91 coaching girls’ basketball.

He also compiled a 130-69-16 record with one state championship as a varsity head football coach, as well as a 158-60 record with two state runner-up finishes in 18 seasons as a varsity head baseball coach.

Ronald Bradley has been named to every coaching Hall of Fame imaginable, including the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the National High School Hall of Fame, the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame. The number of awards and honors he has earned throughout his coaching tenure is massive, but his greatest legacy cannot be measured in wins and losses, championships or tendered awards. Rather it is the impact he left on generations of young people who had the opportunity of learning valuable life lessons under his tutelage. Thousands of young men and young women learned discipline, sportsmanship and how to compete in life through good times and bad while also learning to be ladies and gentlemen. Many of the young people were exposed to opportunities that they might not have even considered and that was his greatest legacy.

In addition to his career, Ronald Bradley enjoyed traveling and was most proud of the family he and Jan raised, including their children and grandchildren. He is survived by Ronald (Brad) Bradley, Jr. of Conyers, Brenda Bradley Elliott (Paul) of Huntsville, AL, William (Bill) Bradley (Kim) of Clarkesville and Robert (Bob) Bradley (Mary Ann) of Conyers.

Survivors include his, daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Paul Elliott; sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald (Brad) Bradley, Jr., Robert and Mary Ann Bradley, William and Kim Bradley; grandchildren, Erica and Matthew Richardson, Alicia and Peyton McNully, Andrea Elliott, Rebecca Deadorff, Mercer Bradley, Emily Bradley, Taylor Bradley (Alexa), Alex Peterson (Luke), Jena Jessup; 6 great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Jeff Corpuel; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service Ronald will be held Thursday, October 9 at Covington First Methodist Church at 3 pm, with Rev. Chris Shurtz,  Rev. Dr. Phil DeMore, and Pastor Gil Gainer officiating. Entombment to follow at Lawnwood Memorial Park. The family will receive visitors Wednesday, Oct 8 at Caldwell and Cowan Funeral Home from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. A Celebration of Life is planned for Oct. 25 for any friends, family, fans and former players who would like to gather and share or hear stories about his life. Time and location to follow at www.coachronaldbradley.com when available.

Caldwell and Cowan are in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, PO Box 4644, Macon, GA 31208