Garland Bradshaw 1940-2025

He was born Feb. 23, 1940, in Newton Grove, North Carolina, to Grace Langdon Bradshaw and Romey Garland Bradshaw.

He graduated high school in Portsmouth, Virginia, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Shortly thereafter, he entered active duty, where he was a typist and wrote reports at the U.S.. Naval Aviation Safety (NAS) Center in Norfolk, Virginia. During that time, it was uncommon to find men who could type and write well, so he served an important role as a clerk.

After completing his term, he attended and graduated from Frederick College in Portsmouth, Virginia. After college, he got a job as a newspaper reporter for the Pine Bluff Commercial newspaper in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Thereafter, he worked as a reporter for the Ledger-Star newspaper in Norfolk, Virginia.

He married Ruth Marie Kutzke in 1973. A few years later, they moved from Virginia Beach to Warren, where he worked at Wean United Inc. in the marketing department as an editor, writing articles for company publications. Not long after, he started a job as director of public relations at Ira Thomas Associates in Youngstown.

Next, he stepped in as campaign director for United Way of Trumbull County, where he organized fundraising and gave presentations across the region. He retired from a 20-year career at United Way in June 2011.

Even in the years that he was not working as a reporter, he followed the news closely and would often call local newspaper editors to suggest stories they should follow. He also wrote “letters to the editor” that were published in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Garland also enjoyed playing trivia at Damon’s, collecting coins, stamps and other mementos, watching nighttime shows like Jay Leno and “60 Minutes,” and reading the news and magazines. He was a jazz enthusiast, collecting hundreds of CDs and attending concerts. He was immensely proud of his younger brother, Jan, who was a paratrooper and served in a combat role during the Vietnam War.

Garland enjoyed the family cottage at Kelleys Island and the wonderful circle of friends he had there. He looked forward to the Thursday night dinners and camaraderie at the Kelleys Island Winery. He loved traveling abroad to England and Switzerland. The visit with his daughter in Paris, France, was a highlight.

Garland was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Warren, as well as an associate member of Zion Methodist Church on Kelleys Island. At Emmanuel, he served in various leadership roles in the church council. He was a dedicated member of the Cortland Rotary Club.

Garland is survived by Ruth, his wife of 52 years; their beloved child, Rachael Lea Bradshaw Sullivan (Timothy Paul); and one cherished grandchild, Nora June Sullivan.

He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Jan (London) Bradshaw; and his dearly loved in-laws, William Louis and June Lloyd Kutzke.

Family and friends may gather to pay respects 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at Lane Funeral Home, 180 Garfield Drive NE, Warren, OH 44483. Additional calling hours will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, with funeral services at 10:30 a.m.

Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Bazetta.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 140 Cherry Ave. NW, Warren, OH 44485.

Family and friends may send their heartfelt condolences by visiting www.lanefuneralhomes.com.

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