Grand Marshal

JD and Pam Dethloff

In 1980, JD and Pam Dethloff married and made Bradford, Tennessee, their home. They have two children, Jennifer (Eric) Brooks and Jeremy (Whitney) Dethloff, five grandchildren; Jase and Ella Brooks, Joyner, Charlee and Finley Dethloff. For more than four decades, Bradford was not simply the place where they lived—it was the place where they raised their family, built lifelong friendships, worshiped, worked, served, and made countless memories. 

Together, JD and Pam became an important part of the Bradford community. Through their faith, their careers, volunteer work, and their willingness to help others, they touched the lives of generations of people. 

JD and Pam are members of First Baptist Church, where their faith and love for others have been evident through their many years of service. Their Christian faith has been at the center of their family and the way they have lived their lives. 

Pam spent eight years running a home daycare, caring for and loving many children in the community. In 2005, she began working as the Assistant Director of the Gibson County Office on Aging. After three years, she became Director, a position she has held for eighteen years. 

Pam has poured her heart into serving senior citizens throughout Gibson County. Along with her staff and many volunteers, she helps provide traditional Thanksgiving meals on Thanksgiving Day to seniors in need. She has created opportunities for seniors to stay active, social, and involved through activities, trips, fellowship, and countless other programs. Her work has touched the lives of many families and individuals throughout the community. 

JD had a servant's heart and a deep love for Bradford. He was passionate about youth sports and spent many years coaching T-ball, baseball, and softball in the city leagues. He also coached travel baseball and was active in the Bradford High School Booster Club, serving as president for a term. 

From 1999–2002, JD served as an alderman for the City of Bradford. In 2003, he began his career as the Bradford Public Works and Water Superintendent. That same year, he started volunteering with the Bradford Fire Department. 

For the next 23 years, JD dedicated himself to serving the citizens of Bradford. He took great pride in his work and was always looking for ways to improve the city he loved. He oversaw numerous improvements and upgrades throughout Bradford and continually went above and beyond to help its citizens. 

In 2019, Bradford was recognized for having the best-tasting water in Tennessee. 

But JD's greatest impact cannot be measured by accomplishments, titles, or years of service. It can be measured by the people he helped, the lives he touched, and the memories he left behind. 

JD was the person people could call when they needed a helping hand. He was willing to show up, lend a hand, fix something, coach a team, help a neighbor, serve his city, or simply be there for someone. He never seemed to need recognition for what he did. Helping others was simply who he was. 

Most importantly, JD was a Christian, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud Papa. He loved his family dearly, and his family was his greatest treasure. He was a man who worked hard, loved deeply, served faithfully, and gave generously of himself. 

JD's sudden passing left an enormous hole in the hearts of his family, friends, and the Bradford community. While his family will miss his presence, his laughter, his helping hands, and his loving heart, his legacy will continue through the people he influenced and the many lives he touched. 

Bradford was home to JD and Pam for more than 40 years. The community they loved became a part of their family, and they became a part of its story. 

JD's life was a testament to faith, family, hard work, and service. His legacy will live on in the people he loved, the community he served, and the countless memories he left behind. 

He loved Bradford, and Bradford loved him.