Harold Gates Bradley

HAROLD GATES BRADLEY ?HB? Harold Gates Bradley went home to his family and Lord on December 18, 2009. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Gladys Macon Bradley and Warren Hendricks Bradley on July 19, 1933. He is survived by Karen, his wife of 30 years, and children Hal (Sheri), Eve Bradley Morris (Greg), Dave Bradley (Mary), Melinda Bradley Castro (Joe), and Angelyn Bradley Miller (Kris). He proudly has 14 grandchildren and one great grandson. He grew up in West End and attended Peeples Street Elementary and Brown Jr. and Sr. High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Miami in 1955 where he was a member of Phi Mu Alpha, Sigma Chi, and the Band of the Hour. He began his teaching career as the band director at Spalding Jr. High in Griffin, Georgia and taught choir at the senior high school. During his tenure, he established the first Georgia All State Junior High Band and was inducted into Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Bradley came back to South Florida in 1971 and in 1972 began his long, wonderful career as the Choral Director at Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach. He created the vocal ensemble Dimension 20, which became the benchmark for choral excellence in Palm Beach County and the state. His career at Forest Hill spanned 21 years. He also taught two years at Santaluces High School as the Associate Choral Director and Assistant Band Director in 2000 and 2001. In May 2006, Forest Hill High School recognized his years of dedication by naming their auditorium in his honor. Church music was a constant in his life. From leading hymn singing at age 9 at Camp Glisson to directing church choirs, quality choral music and beautiful singing was his hallmark. He served at several churches in Atlanta, was the music director at Memorial Presbyterian Church in W. Palm Beach, and spent 24 years at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. Some of his proudest accomplishments are manifested in the lives of his former students and the many career paths they have chosen. Several dozen have made music their life?s dream including eight music teachers in Palm Beach County. In 2000 he was honored to receive the Music Educator of the Year Award from the Florida Music Educators Association. A service will be held on December 21 at 2:00 pm at the Abbey Chapel at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta followed by interment in the family plot. A musical celebration will be held in West Palm Beach at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Forest Hill High School Choral Scholarship Fund at 6901 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33405.