Lawrence Robert Bradbury

Lawrence Robert Bradbury of Pawnee City, Nebraska passed away September 26, 2024 at the age of 100 years, 10 months, and 25 days.

Lawrence was born November 1, 1923 in Tate, Nebraska, the only child of John and Clara (Bradley) Bradbury. He attended grade school at a country school in rural Kansas and graduated from Pawnee City High School in 1942.

On April 30, 1944 Lawrence married Lucille Baker. They celebrated 63 years together. To this union two sons were born, Larry Lee and Robert Ervin. Lawrence's lifework was farming; growing corn and beans and raising cows, hogs, and even chickens whose eggs were sold to local grocery stores.

Lawrence had many hobbies. Since his youth, he enjoyed playing harmonica and guitar. He often shared his talents by playing at church services, most memorably on Christmas Eve. After moving to the Pawnee City Assisted Living in 2020 the staff would often hear him playing his harmonica in his room. Lawrence enjoyed collecting arrowheads and shared his beautiful collection with his family and the Pawnee Historical Society. He also had an interesting coin collection and always had wonderful stories to share about his treasures such as the Panamanian coins he collected when he, Lucille, and their son Bob visited Panama while Larry and Pam were stationed there during Larry's time in the Navy.

Lawrence had a passion for antique cars and tractors, a passion he passed to all three of his grandsons. Lawrence restored many old Packards and Allis Chalmers tractors, winning multiple  trophies at car and tractor shows. Following in his footsteps, Jim restored a 1928 Model A for him, and Jeff and Jon continue to restore tractors from Lawrence's collection of fixer-uppers.

Lawrence was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church. He was a 70 year member of the Masons and a past Master of Masons while his wife Lucille was a member of Eastern Star for 50 years.

Lawrence's greatest joy was his family. He invested in the college education of all 5 of his great grandchildren.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara, his wife Lucille, his great granddaughter Lisa Ann, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Left to mourn his passing are his son Robert Bradbury of Kansas City, MO, son Larry and Pamela (Huber) of Pawnee City and their three sons; Jeffrey and daughters Ashley and Clara all of Lincoln, NE, James and wife Audra (Moritz) of Pawnee City and their son Kellen and daughter Tristen both of Lincoln, NE, Jonathan and Amy Buhr and her daughter Tori (Preston)Acton and son Hunter, all of Adams, NE, niece Carol (Baker) Thomas of Spring, TX, niece Janice Baker of Diamond Bar, CA, cousin Kenneth Eichenberger and family of Steinauer, NE, and friend Shirley Huls of Pawnee City.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Presbyterian/Christian Church with Pastor Connor Barr officiating.  The service was also livestreamed and a link to the livestream is available here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057240888156

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 at the Wherry Mortuary in Pawnee City, Nebraska.

Memorials may go to the family's choice.

Interment will be in the Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com.

Services are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.

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