N. Keith Bradley, 79, Announcer, Auctioneer & Broker, of Bowling Green, Ohio
passed away Friday, July 20, 2012.
Mr. Bradley was a very successful auctioneer and businessman. He built his business
with professionalism, dedication, and pride in Bowling Green and specialized in
auctions of all types including: Real Estate, Household, Estate, Farm Machinery,
Business Liquidations, Commercial, and numerous fund raisers, and charity
auctions. He was an avid supporter of the 4-H Youth, Boy Scouts, Make-a-Wish,
Christmas Dreams, and many other organizations.
In 1977, Keith obtained his Real Estate Broker’s license and on March 1, 1978, he
opened Bradley Real Estate & Auction Inc., (combining the Real Estate,
Auction and Announcing Business into one corporation) located at 1037 N. Main
St., Bowling Green, Ohio. He attended Bowling Green State University and
graduated in 1974 from the Superior School of Auctioneering in Decatur, Illinois
serving his one-year apprenticeship with Bill Ford of Ford Real Estate in Bryan,
Ohio, a gentleman he met through the Quarter Horse Industry.
Mr. Bradley furthered his education by attending the Certified Auctioneer’s Institute
in Bloomington, Indiana and graduated with his C.A.I. designation. He is past
president and lifetime member of the Ohio Auctioneer’s Association and in 2006
he was inducted into their Hall of Fame.
Mr. Bradley was a 1951 graduate of Bowling Green High School. He was a member of the
Plain Congregational Church and the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce. He is a
past president and member of the Wood County Board of Realtors and was inducted
into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Keith was a member of the Wood County Masonic Lodge, Valley of Toledo Scottish Rite,
past president of the Wood County Shrine Club and member of the Mounted Patrol
of the Zenobia Shrine. He is also past president of the Northwest Ohio Harness
Horse Association, a Life Member of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, a member
of the US Trotting Association, a Life Member of the US Snaffle Bit Association,
a Life Member of the National Auctioneers Association, and a Life Member of the
prestigious National Reining Horse Association and inducted into their Hall of
Fame in 2006. Keith’s accomplishments include being the seventh inductee in 31
years to the All American Quarter Horse Congress Hall of Fame in 1996, and being
the President of the Ohio Auctioneers Association in 1998, and was the Champion
Bid Caller at the Ohio State Fair in 1982. Keith has traveled throughout the
U.S. announcing horse shows since 1959, as well as Australia for the Australian
Quarter Horse Congress. He has been the announcer for the National Tractor
Pullers Association since 1967, as well as having been the announcer for county
fairs throughout Ohio since the late 1950s.
He has been involved in the Wood County Fair since 1958 serving as the Announcer for
most all events, and as the Auctioneer for the quilt, pie, baked goods, chain
saw, and livestock auctions. He has been a tremendous supporter of the Wood
County Fair and virtually takes time off from his business responsibilities the
week of the fair to be available whenever he is needed to assist in various
announcing or auctioneering duties during that week. Each year during the Wood
County Fair, ballots are available to everyone to vote for their
"Favorites." For 19 years, Bradley has won "Wood County’s
Favorite Auctioneer." Keith was an outstanding citizen in his community and
has received recognition from many organizations for his leadership and role in
his community. BRADLEY . . . A NAME SYNONYMOUS WITH AUCTIONS!
Mr. Bradley was born in Wood County, Ohio to the late Wayne & Ortha (Welsh)
Bradley. He married Donna "Butch" Palmer and she preceded him in death
on August 25, 1995. Along with his parents and wife, Mr. Bradley was preceded in
death by his son, Michael Bradley and his brothers, Bobbie & Jimmie
Bradley.
Mr. Bradley is survived by his grandson, Matthew Bradley of Silver Spring, Maryland;
his brother, Garold Bradley of Rudolph, Ohio; his niece, Kim Tyrrell; and his
nephews, Kurt, Scott, and Todd Bradley, and Dennis Garner, and his colleague and
friend, Peggy Brigham of Bowling Green; and his faithful canine companion, Sox.
Visitation for Keith will be Tuesday, July 24, 2012 from 2 – 8 p.m. in the
DECK-HANNEMAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 1460 W. Wooster St., PO Box 648,
Bowling Green, OH Tele: 419/352-2171 with his Celebration of Life Service on
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 11 a.m. in the Remembrance Chapel of the funeral
home. Burial will be in Plain Township Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be gifted in Mr. Bradley’s honor to the Make-a-Wish
Foundation or to the donor’s choice.
On-line condolences, as well as fond memories, may be shared at www.hannemanfh.com
