John Wayne Bradford; 49; of Aiken; S.C.; formerly of Belle Vernon; died Saturday; July 26; 2008 in Aiken Regional Medical Center. Born October 18; 1958 in Charleroi; he was a son of Bertha Louise Bradford and the late James Raisbeck Bradford. John lived most of his life in Belle Vernon; where he was a faithful member of Marion Presbyterian Church in Belle Vernon (Fairhope). He was a 1978 graduate of Belle Vernon Area High School; where his joy was being a drummer for the high school marching band. John worked at a sheltered workshop in Monessen and became a member of the Pennsylvania Special Olympics; where he successfully competed in many swimming events in the area; as well as the State Games played at Penn State University. In 1995; John and his mother moved to Aiken; where he had been a member of Grace Presbyterian Church; and currently; Providence Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He volunteered for a time at Hitchcock Healthcare; where he won a special award for Volunteer of the Year. John was a regular member of the Hitchcock Fitness for Life Program; now the current Aiken YMCA. He became a faithful and dearly loved employee of the Kroger Company on Whiskey Road in Aiken; where he has worked for the last 10 years. John started the Aiken Special Olympics Swim Program in 1995 and was a member of the local Special Olympics Bowling Team. He had just completed his second three-year term on the South Carolina Special Olympics Board of Directors and was serving as a Global Messenger for the program; telling about the advantages of Special Olympics. John’s favorite motto was the Special Olympics motto; Let me win; but if I can not win; let me be brave in the attempt. John has won; and was very brave. Survivors include his mother; Bertha L. Bradford; of Aiken; S.C.; two brothers and sisters-in-law; Arthur Dale and Donna Bradford; of Orlando; Fla.; and James Robert and Patty Bradford; of Middletown; Pa.; one sister and brother-in-law; Sally (Bradford) and Kenneth Bryan; of Aiken; S.C.; three nephews; Christopher Bradford; Jonathon Bradford and Kyle Bradford; niece; Heather Bradford; and many aunts; uncles and cousins. In addition to his father; John was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents; John and Julia Drotar; and his paternal grandparents; Floyd and Viola Bradford. A Memorial Service for John Wayne Bradford will be held Tuesday; July 29; at 11 a.m. in Providence Orthodox Presbyterian Church; 573 Town Creek Rd.; Aiken; S.C.; with Pastor Kevin L. Medcalf officiating. Interment will be held at a later date in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; the family suggests donations be made to Providence Orthodox Presbyterian Church in memory of Mr. Bradford. The GEORGE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER; 211 Park Ave. SW; Aiken; S.C. 29801 (803-649-6234); is assisting the Bradford family. Please visit www.georgefuneralhomes.com to leave a note for the Bradford family.