JEROME BRADSHAW

Jerome Bradshaw was born on December 21, 1950, at Gallinger Municipal Hospital, which later became District of Columbia General Hospital, in Washington, DC to Claude S. Bradshaw and Esther R. Bradshaw (nee Postell). He was the middle child of five born to Esther and Claudy. A fifth generation Washingtonian, Jerome was raised in the historic H Street Corridor at 328 13th Street, NE - a neighborhood and home where precious, indelible memories were created by the Bradshaw family and their many, many friends. He attended Elijah P. Lovejoy Elementary School, Charles W. Eliot Junior High School and Eastern Senior High School. As a young man, Jerome enjoyed all things sports but his favorite sport was boxing. He participated on the boxing team at the DC Boys and Girls Club under the tutelage of legendary boxing coach Abraham “Ham” Johnson. Jerome and his older brother Howard built reputations for unmatched skill and tenacity in the ring, and had no problem fighting anyone, anywhere at any time. Their four fists were a force to be reckoned with. Jerome was introduced to Christ as a child by his parents who, along with the rest of the Postell family, were pillars of The Way of the Cross Church of Christ. Jerome was baptized and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. As an adult, Jerome reaffirmed his acceptance of Christ, reminding us of the wisdom of Proverbs 22:6 which says, “Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Jerome was employed by the United States Printing Office for several years. He then relocated to Hampton Roads, Virginia, where he lived for nearly 15 years and served as the manager of a popular variety and novelty store and worked in masonry for a leading regional construction company. When he returned home to Washington, he worked for Goodwill of Greater Washington and volunteered at Carol Manor Nursing Home. Jerome was a very social, fun-loving, carefree, charming and suave man. But he was also incredibly family oriented, defined by a fiercely loyal and protective nature. He loved to joke and trash talk with his friends and family. He was seriously funny with his famous DC’isms that often made people fall to their knees and clutch their stomachs in uncontrolled laughter. Jerome never thought of himself as getting older and if you suggested he was, he would cut his eyes towards you with a look on his face that said, “Watch yourself now!” Jerome loved to travel anywhere a car would take him and he loved cowboy movies, a passion he got from his mother. Jerome was an avid sports fan with a particular love for the Super Bowl. His favorite NFL team was the San Francisco 49ers. Note to those in the afterlife . . .. please don’t stand in front of the TV when the 49ers are playing! And finally, STYLE! Jerome was known throughout DC for being one of the sharpest dressers in a town full of very sharp dressers. He had an extensive wardrobe and he cherished his suits, shoes, fur coats, jewelry and hats! Brad’s sense of style, unparalleled swagger, DC colloquialisms and legendary DC walk all combined to make him the “Icon of DC.” Jerome “Brad” Bradshaw passed away peacefully after a long battle with Diabetes and Cancer at the Washington Hospital Center on Thursday, July 18, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents Claude and Esther Bradshaw, his older sister Claudette Bradshaw, his older brother Howard (Boxes) Bradshaw and his younger brother Anthony R. “Tony” Bradshaw. Jerome leaves to celebrate his life and carry on his cherished memory his only surviving sibling and younger sister Belinda Ashton; his nieces Savitri Davis, Candice Ashton and Tangela Bradshaw; his nephews Howard L. Bradshaw II (Sandra) and Kendrick F. Ashton, Jr. (Mashea); his great nieces Kayla Hester, Dylan C. Ashton and Na’Sadia Bradshaw; and his great nephews Khari Davis, Khalil Davis and Kendrick F. Ashton III as well as his lifelong special friend Cynthia Dixon and a very large host of family and friends.

JEROME BRADSHAW

December 21, 1950 - July 18, 2024