Richard Washington Bradfute

Richard Washington Bradfute, of Moriarty, NM, passed away peacefully at his home July 2, 2017 at the age of 103 years, 11 months and 10 days. Richard was born on July 22, 1913 to John D. and Lula (Kirkpatrick) Bradfute in Fort Worth, TX. As a boy, Richard was the man of the family and worked to provide for his mother and sister. He worked in cotton gins during the day, and he would haul the bales of cotton at night. He would start the team of mules on their way and sleep in the seat while they hauled the bales. When he met the love of his life, he was farming and promised her when he got his crops laid by, he would come get her. He showed up on December 13 unannounced, and they eloped to Clovis, NM. A short time later, Richard was drafted into the Army Air Force, where he served as a radio operator. Richard had the distinction of installing some of the first radar used by the Air Force. He completed 50 combat missions over North Africa and Italy, serving as the radio man, gunner and navigator for his crew on their B17. While overseas, his first son was born, and the letter from his wife telling him he had a son arrived the same day as the official government notification from the Red Cross. After being discharged from AAF, he worked as a parts-man for Tillery Chevrolet, hauled fuel for Hawkins and Williams Chevron and owned a dairy. Later, at the encouragement of his wife, he applied for Water Superintendent for Moriarty. He didn’t think he had a chance but “somehow or another” he got the job. Richard ran the City of Moriarty Water and Sewer Department until he retired in 1978. During that time, he oversaw many projects for the city including the new sewer treatment plant on the east end of Moriarty and new water storage tank at the city park. Richard was also the Fire Chief for Moriarty Fire Department and was one of their first EMTs. For many years, he could be found helping his younger son, Bill, working on trucks and keeping books for his diesel repair business. He was loved and cherished by his family and spoiled his grandkids, great- grandkids and great-great-grandkids. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 66 years Lovilla (Winn) Bradfute, a son William Evert Bradfute and one sister Ruby Bean. Richard is survived by his son Richard and wife Zorita Bradfute, daughter-in-law Janette Bradfute, grandchildren Cherol (Kenny) Autry, Billie (Billy) Baca, Richard E. (Christy) Bradfute, John (Karen) Bradfute, David (Leah) Bradfute, Steven (Jennifer) Bradfute and Jason Bradfute, step-grandchildren Heidi (Jeffery Archeleta) Hein, Tammy Hein and Charles (Lydia) Hein, 22 great-grandkids, and 9 great-great-grandkids. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday July 8, 2017. The viewing will be at 9:00 A.M. with the service to follow at 10:00 A.M. at the Harris Hanlon Mortuary in Moriarty, New Mexico. The Burial will be at the McIntosh Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Richard Edward Bradfute, David William Bradfute, Steven Blake Bradfute, John David Bradfute, Jason Evert Bradfute, Lucas Wayne Buchanan and Charles Daniel Dennison.