WILMINGTON — Bradford Randolph Cullen, 70, died unexpectedly and went to be home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018. He was born Feb. 1, 1948, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to the late William Dickson Cullen and Maurel Deans Babson.
Brad served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Sampson DDG-10 being deployed to Athens, Greece, with the 6th Fleet. He began his 34-year career as an engineer with Bailey Controls, Babcock & Wilcox and ABB. Brad was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother and grandpa “Pops.”
His skill with all things automotive was shared with great enthusiasm, especially little British cars. His expertise on the open throttle of a steam locomotive as he took it down the line was amazing having had a fascination with trains from an early age. This resulted in being a lifelong member of TVRM in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and supporting his Fort Wayne, Indiana, based #765 steam engine.
Brad was a member of Southside Baptist Church, where he found his greatest joy in the Lord and love of people.
Brad is survived by his loving wife Sandra; son, David Cullen, and wife, Suzanne, of Buford, Georgia; five grandchildren, Nathan and Eden Cullen, Emma, Grace and Anna Foster; brother, Brett Cullen, and his wife, Maria, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and son, Brett Jr. of Wilmington; three stepbrothers, Bruce Babson, and his wife, Marisol of San Diego, California, and Roger and David Babson of Wilmington; brother-in-law, Ron Dennis of Wilmington; sister-in-law, Laura Dennis Taylor, and her husband, Jim, of Emerald Isle; sister-in-law, Lydia Dennis Brown of Wilmington; niece, Ashley Taylor; and nephews Will and Daniel Taylor, Jeffery and Matthew Brown.
The family will receive visitors from noon to 1 p.m., Monday, Aug. 13, at Southside Baptist Church, 3320 S. College Road, Wilmington. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. with Pastor Kelly Stanley Jr. officiating. Burial will follow services in Oleander Memorial Gardens with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Southside Baptist Church, Moldova Mission Team.
Share online condolences with the family at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral & Cremation Service.
