Mr. Bradley and a group of other tractor enthusiast from our area joined together for some fun and friendly competitions several years before Antique Power Association of the Ozarks Branch #131 EDGE & TA was founded. It was not uncommon for this group to use their “daily driver” tractor to compete at local pulls and county fair events. Mr. Bradley is a charter member of Antique Power. Although, he hasn’t served as an officer, he has always worked hard behind the scenes doing whatever was needed to make the club a success. He has been promoting the sport of tractor pulling over 36 years.
He attends most monthly tractor club meetings and local events with a smile on his face and encouraging words on his lips. He is certainly an enthusiastic member and participant in spite of losing his three children and wife within the last few years.
We believe Gene Bradley deserves this award because his kind and gentle example has delivered many positive messages as he has promoted the sport of tractor pulling. His passion for tractors and tractor pulling was demonstrated at home and in town because he shared this hobby with his two sons. The three of them competed together for several years. As a seasoned tractor puller, Mr. Bradley is known to put on a good show for all to enjoy as he heads down the track with a smile on his face displaying an American flag from the back of his tractor. He isn’t afraid to extend a helping hand even to those that might out pull him. He is a very fine example of a true sportsman with a strong faith. At 81 years old, he continues to participant in about every parade and pull within a reasonable distance from home. He is an overall good guy. Mr. Bradley is an excellent candidate for this award.
Mr. Bradley worked as a mechanic so he used his professional skill set to enhance and preserve automobiles and antique tractors. He knows what to do to get all he can out of his tractor.
Mr. Bradley interests in preserving and exhibiting tractors spans many years and he is still active today. Over the years, he has owned a wide variety of tractors including: Ford, Case, Allis Chalmers, Farmall Cub, and his current pulling tractor, a 1942 Oliver 70. He currently has six antique tractors which he maintains in top running order.