Gene Burris Bradshaw, 1919-2020

Gene Burris Bradshaw, 100, of Mineola rested his eyes and entered eternity on July 16, 2020. Mr. Bradshaw was born on Dec. 1, 1919 in Lindale to the late Jobe and Clemy Bradshaw.

Gene played on the very first football team that Lindale High School fielded. He had been in the Mineola community since 1946. Gene enlisted into the Army in April 1943 in Tyler and was honorably discharged on Feb. 1, 1946. He served in the South Pacific and was part of the occupation of Japan. When discharged, Mr. Bradshaw had attained the rank of master sergeant. Gene married the love of his life, Maxine Pumroy, on Jan. 11, 1947 in Mineola. He and Maxine shared 52 beautiful years together until her passing in November 1999. Mr. Bradshaw began working when he was 15 years old, owned and operated his cleaners for seven years starting at the age of 19 in Tyler. He then worked at Rip Collins Cleaners in Mineola for six years. Gene owned and operated his own dry cleaners in Mineola for over 30 years, making many friends throughout those years. He worked a total of 75 years, retiring at the age of 90. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mineola.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Maxine; daughter, Linda; and brothers, Hurley, Ray and Bill.

Mr. Bradshaw is survived by his son, Hurley Bradshaw and wife Jan; daughter, Vickie Pruitt and husband Mike; granddaughter, Bonnie Simons and husband Joe; granddaughter, Laci Whitehead and husband Kenny; grandson, Ryan Bradshaw and wife Stephanie; grandson, Jesse Strange; great-grandson, Bryce Strange, great-granddaughter, Jaycee Whitehead; great-granddaughter, Joselyn Whitehead; great-grandson, Daxton Whitehead; great-grandson, Joey Simons; great-granddaughter, Katelynn Simons; sister-in-law, Betty Bradshaw; sister-in-law, Darline Hackler; brother-in-law, Jerry Hackler; and many nieces, great nieces and great nephews.

The family received friends for a time of visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22 at Beaty Funeral Home in Mineola. The funeral to celebrate Mr. Bradshaw’s 100 years will be on Thursday, July 23 at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Beaty Funeral Home. Burial will follow the service in Roselawn Memorial Garden. Per the Governor of Texas, masks are required to attend both the visitation and funeral service.