1936
Dwight
2024
Dwight L. Bradham, SGM U.S. Army Retired
September 21, 1936 — April 27, 2024
Aiken, SC
Mr. Dwight Leroy Bradham, SGM U.S. Army Retired, age 87, entered into rest in the early morning hours of April
27, 2024 at Cumberland Hills Assisted Living Center in Aiken, SC.
He was the son of the late Ollie and Laneigh Bradham, born in Manning, SC. He lived
and worked on the family farm until graduating high school and enlisting to serve in the
United States Army, attending basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. His first duty
assignment was in Germany, where he met the love of his life, Ruth Klein, with the two
getting married in 1957. Dwight brought his lovely bride back to the states and
completed his first enlistment at Fort Sill, OK. They then returned to the family farm and
began to raise their family.
Dwight always had a Soldier’s heart (there are family pictures of him wearing an Army
uniform and saluting as a small boy) and returned to service, initially in the South
Carolina Army National Guard, and then volunteering for active duty and serving tours
in Vietnam at Nha Trang, where he kept the Army’s Huey helicopters flying in support of
combat operations. He returned home to family and continued National Guard service,
but eventually went active duty with the SC Army National Guard as a Recruiter, and
then an Area NCOIC in the Charleston, SC area, before returning once again to active
duty to serve as an Army In-Service Recruiter, until his retirement in 1993, where they
settled down in Aiken, SC.
He is remembered by family and friends for his devotion to Ruth and love for their
children, his patriotism and servant’s heart, his quiet but rock-solid demeanor, and
someone who believed in “deeds, not words”, which he passed on to their boys. His
love for family, boiled peanuts and good southern BBQ, sharing of conversation and
enjoying good times, will be very much missed by all.
Survivors include three sons, Dwight Jr. (Heather) of Aiken, SC; Phillip of Apex, NC; and
Daniel (Cory) of Cleveland, TN; as well as six grandchildren, Nathan Emily, Sam,
Markus, Aspen and Isabella.
Funeral services will be held at COLE FUNERAL HOME 1544 UNIVERSITY PKWY
(118 BYPASS) AIKEN, SC 29801 803-648-7175 on Wednesday, May 1st at 3pm, with
the family receiving visitors after the service.
A full military honors service with interment will occur at Fort Jackson National
Cemetery on Friday May 17, 2024 at 1:00 pm.
The family has asked in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Aiken County
Veterans Council, 1930 University Parkway, Suite 3600A, Aiken, SC 29801.
27, 2024 at Cumberland Hills Assisted Living Center in Aiken, SC.
He was the son of the late Ollie and Laneigh Bradham, born in Manning, SC. He lived
and worked on the family farm until graduating high school and enlisting to serve in the
United States Army, attending basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. His first duty
assignment was in Germany, where he met the love of his life, Ruth Klein, with the two
getting married in 1957. Dwight brought his lovely bride back to the states and
completed his first enlistment at Fort Sill, OK. They then returned to the family farm and
began to raise their family.
Dwight always had a Soldier’s heart (there are family pictures of him wearing an Army
uniform and saluting as a small boy) and returned to service, initially in the South
Carolina Army National Guard, and then volunteering for active duty and serving tours
in Vietnam at Nha Trang, where he kept the Army’s Huey helicopters flying in support of
combat operations. He returned home to family and continued National Guard service,
but eventually went active duty with the SC Army National Guard as a Recruiter, and
then an Area NCOIC in the Charleston, SC area, before returning once again to active
duty to serve as an Army In-Service Recruiter, until his retirement in 1993, where they
settled down in Aiken, SC.
He is remembered by family and friends for his devotion to Ruth and love for their
children, his patriotism and servant’s heart, his quiet but rock-solid demeanor, and
someone who believed in “deeds, not words”, which he passed on to their boys. His
love for family, boiled peanuts and good southern BBQ, sharing of conversation and
enjoying good times, will be very much missed by all.
Survivors include three sons, Dwight Jr. (Heather) of Aiken, SC; Phillip of Apex, NC; and
Daniel (Cory) of Cleveland, TN; as well as six grandchildren, Nathan Emily, Sam,
Markus, Aspen and Isabella.
Funeral services will be held at COLE FUNERAL HOME 1544 UNIVERSITY PKWY
(118 BYPASS) AIKEN, SC 29801 803-648-7175 on Wednesday, May 1st at 3pm, with
the family receiving visitors after the service.
A full military honors service with interment will occur at Fort Jackson National
Cemetery on Friday May 17, 2024 at 1:00 pm.
The family has asked in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Aiken County
Veterans Council, 1930 University Parkway, Suite 3600A, Aiken, SC 29801.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dwight L. Bradham, SGM U.S. Army Retired, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Starts at 3:00 pm (Eastern time)
Cole Funeral Home & Cremations Service
Interment
Friday, May 17, 2024
Starts at 1:00 pm (Eastern time)
Ft. Jackson National Cemetery
Full Military Honors will be accorded by the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
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