Dr. James Watt Bradshaw, III, passed away at Sunnyside Retirement Community in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, after having enjoyed a long and full life.

 

He was born on November 13, 1926, in Eustis, Florida. He was the son of J. Watt Bradshaw, II and Geneva G. Bradshaw. In 1950 he married his beloved wife, Mary Berger Bradshaw of Richmond, Virginia, who preceded him in death nine years ago.

 

Dr. Bradshaw is survived by three sons and daughter-in-law’s, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. J. Watt Bradshaw IV and wife, Christi Grace of Broadway, Virginia and their daughter Kelly Pringle Bradshaw and son, Samuel Luke Bradshaw; Rev. Philip Scott Bradshaw and wife, Sue Crosbie Bradshaw of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and their son, John David Bradshaw and his wife, Ashley Gourley Bradshaw (and their five children) and Jennifer Ann Styles and husband, Jeremy Styles (and their two children); Dr. D. Mark Bradshaw and wife, Jacqueline Cottingham Bradshaw of Bridgewater and their two sons, Richard Mark Bradshaw and wife, Emilie O’Kelley Bradshaw (and their two children) and Stephen James Bradshaw.

 

Dr. Bradshaw was a lifetime active member of First Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg where he served as deacon, ruling elder and president of the B. F. Wilson Men’s Bible Class. He was a World War II veteran serving in the United States Navy. He graduated from Harrisonburg High School, attended University of Virginia, Randolph Macon College, James Madison College, and graduated from Medical College of Virginia school of dentistry in 1950. He practiced dentistry in Harrisonburg for 45 years.

 

Dr. Bradshaw was a fellow of the Virginia State Dental Association and served on its executive council for 12 years. He was a member and served as a president of the Shenandoah Valley Dental Association. He was a charter member and president of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Dental Society and was active in Harrisonburg becoming the second city in the state of Virginia to have fluorinated water. He was a member and served as president of the Northern Virginia Dental Study Club as well as being a fellow of the International College of Dentists. In local activities, Dr. Bradshaw served as a Cub Master and a Scout Master of Troop 43. He was past member and president of the Harrisonburg Lions Club and served as a volunteer in the RMH Hospice program.

 

Dr. Bradshaw was a lover of the outdoors and was an avid golfer, hunter and fisherman and in his earlier days skiing and tennis. He was a charter member of both the Gum Run Hunt Club and the Fulk Mountain Hunt Club. He was also a charter member of both the Gound Hog Mt. Tinker-Bell Golf classic and the Cranberry River Fish Golf and Bike week – the latter being active for 38 plus years.