Longtime Salisbury master barber and Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame member Ray Bradford, 92, died Thursday, July 27, 2023, at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury.

Born in Willards,he was the son of the late John Bradford and Lizzie Lekites Bradford.

After graduating from Pittsville High School in 1947, he attended City Barber School in Baltimore.

He signed a Baseball contract as a pitcher with the Boston Braves in November 1947. In 1948, he spent spring training with the Milwaukee Brewers in Austin, Texas, but played at Bluefield, W.Va.

He played at Federalsburg  in the Eastern Shore League in 1949 and at Hagerstown in the Interstate League in 1950.

He was injured in an off-season wood-shop accident in 1951 that ended his professional career.

In 1952, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1956. He returned to Salisbury to become a partner with Merrill Shores at the Shores & Bradford Barber Shop on Priscilla Street.

He played softball for many years in the City Industrial League and was elected to the Fastpitch Hall of Fame in 1980. He spent several years as a Coach and Manager in the Pony League.

In 1990, he was elected to the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame.

He flew model airplanes for many years. He judged Control Line Stunt contests and often judged the national contest. He enjoyed playing golf and had a hole-in-one in 1995.

He was a member of the Wicomico Masonic Lodge No. 91 and served as instructor for many years. He was awarded Mason of the Year in 1995.

He is survived by two sons, Michael Bradford of Salisbury and Mitchell Bradford of Elkton, Md.; two grandchildren, Bryan and Brianna; and a great-grandson, Trevor.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Bradford; five brothers, Franklin, Edward, Arthur, Maurice and Floyd; and three sisters, Mae, Ethel and Anna.

A graveside service was held Wednesday Aug. 2, 2023, at New Hope Cemetery in Willards.

Arrangements are in the care of Bishop-Hastings Funeral home in Selbyville.