James Bradford
September 7th, 1955 - January 25th, 2026
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James's Obituary
James “Jim” D. Bradford Jr., 70, of Dowagiac died Sunday, January 25, 2026, surrounded by his family.
He was born on September 7, 1955, in Sturgis, Michigan to James Sr. and Fern (Dingman) Bradford.
Jim served honorably in the Army National Guard from 1973 until 1979.
He lived and worked for several years in the Sturgis area where, in 1977, Jim married Cynthia “Cindy” Hart (Rohdy). Jim and Cindy had two sons, Jarrid and Joshua. Jim and Cindy divorced in 2003 but remained friends until his death.
Jim was a firefighter and fire marshal with the City of Sturgis. In the late 1980’s Jim moved to Dowagiac to work as the city building official. Jim was a member of the Dowagiac Volunteer Fire Department and retired from the city serving as the director of public services.
Jim was an avid outdoorsman with many fishing and hunting buddies. He left a few behind, for now, and a few more are waiting for him at a boat launch somewhere.
Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Jarrid and Colleen Bradford; two grandchildren, Rowan and Jenna Bradford; two sisters, Linda Gates and Vickie Armstrong, and many other friends and family.
Preceding him in death were his infant son, Joshua Bradford; parents; and sister, Debra Gearhart.
A funeral service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center St, Dowagiac, where friends may visit with his family from 12:00 PM until the time of service. Pastor Nathan Wilder of Calvary Bible Church will officiate.
Memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be directed to your local fire department.
To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit Jim’s personalized webpage at www.clarkch.com.
He was born on September 7, 1955, in Sturgis, Michigan to James Sr. and Fern (Dingman) Bradford.
Jim served honorably in the Army National Guard from 1973 until 1979.
He lived and worked for several years in the Sturgis area where, in 1977, Jim married Cynthia “Cindy” Hart (Rohdy). Jim and Cindy had two sons, Jarrid and Joshua. Jim and Cindy divorced in 2003 but remained friends until his death.
Jim was a firefighter and fire marshal with the City of Sturgis. In the late 1980’s Jim moved to Dowagiac to work as the city building official. Jim was a member of the Dowagiac Volunteer Fire Department and retired from the city serving as the director of public services.
Jim was an avid outdoorsman with many fishing and hunting buddies. He left a few behind, for now, and a few more are waiting for him at a boat launch somewhere.
Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Jarrid and Colleen Bradford; two grandchildren, Rowan and Jenna Bradford; two sisters, Linda Gates and Vickie Armstrong, and many other friends and family.
Preceding him in death were his infant son, Joshua Bradford; parents; and sister, Debra Gearhart.
A funeral service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center St, Dowagiac, where friends may visit with his family from 12:00 PM until the time of service. Pastor Nathan Wilder of Calvary Bible Church will officiate.
Memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be directed to your local fire department.
To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit Jim’s personalized webpage at www.clarkch.com.
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