CMSgt Donald Warren Bradley, retired, 90, Spring Valley, Calif., died Aug. 11, 2013, at his home.

Donald was born Nov. 30, 1922, in Osawatomie, to Albert Warren Bradley and Mildred Haigh Bradley. He graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1940. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in September 1941.

In November 1941, he went to armor school at Lowry Field, Colo. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 29th Bomb Group flying sub patrol out of MacDill Field, Fla. In July of 1942, he was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group, 350th Squadron as initial cadre at Gowan Field, Idaho, as an armor and aerial gunner instructor for B-17 crews. In November of 1942, he was assigned as the photo lab chief for the 350th Squadron. He was deployed to Thorpe Abbotts, England, in July of 1943 with the 100th Bomb Group. He was Tech. Sgt. photo lab chief and aerial photographer gunner and completed 29 combat missions. He returned to the U.S. in May of 1945.

On July 16, 1947, Donald married his sweetheart, Dorothy Cully of Paola. His military career would continue to take him and his family many places. He served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was an armor, a gunner, a photo interpreter, a photo lab chief, and a photo interpreter instructor. He was later stationed in Japan; Korea; Lowry AFB, Colo.; Sheppard AFB, Texas; Kaufbeuren, Germany; March AFB, Calif.; Hickam AFB, Hawaii; Udorn, Thailand; and ultimately Offutt AFB, Neb.

Don was with the 544 A.R.T.W. at Offutt AFB when he retired in September 1972. In 1975, Don received a bachelor of arts degree in geography and history from Bellevue University, and in 1978, he earned a master of arts degree in geography from the University of Nebraska, Omaha (UNO). He taught geography courses at Bellevue University and UNO.

On March 28, 1999, Don lost the love of his life when Dorothy went home to be with the Lord. Despite his loss, he continued with many of the activities and things that he loved to do. He was active in the Offutt AFB religious education programs at the base chapel where he also served as an usher. He attended many annual reunions with the 100th Bomb Group, Osawatomie High School and other military organizations.

He enjoyed traveling and visiting family and friends. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in his mid-80s. When the disease progressed to a point where he could no longer live alone, he moved from his long-time residence in Bellevue to Spring Valley, where he lived with his son Larry and family.

Earlier in his life he battled cancer of the vocal cords, and later cancer of the colon. On March 7, 2013, he was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. On Aug. 11, he lost his fight with cancer. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him and loved him.

He was a member of the 100th BG Foundation, the 8th Air Force Historical Society, Muenster Lodge No. 831, AF&AM of Ulm, Germany, Air Force Association and many others.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Carl Bradley; his sister, Margaret Fields; and his wife of 51 years, Dorothy Cully Bradley.

He is survived by his sons, Larry Bradley of Spring Valley and David Bradley of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; daughters-in-law, Mary Bradley and Lisa Bradley; grandchildren: Will Bradley, Justice Bradley, John Bradley, Rachel Bradley, Charlotte McClure, Anna Takasugi and Kevin Rice.

His funeral service was Aug. 19 at the Capehart Chapel in Bellevue.

•In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society or to your local hospice.