Timothy “Tim” Sheldon Bradford, 86, of Morehead City, North Carolina, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at ECU Health Medical Center following a brief illness.

A service of thanksgiving and remembrance to honor Tim’s life will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, June 27th at Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church in Salter Path.

Tim was born on March 27, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Frank and Anne Bradford. He honorably served in the United States Army before earning his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University.

Tim and his wife, Margaret “Meg” Bradford, made Carteret County their home for the past 28 years after moving from Columbus, Ohio, to be closer to family and enjoy the coast, where he began a successful real estate career.

After retiring from real estate, Tim focused on his love of the visual arts. He began painting with acrylics at BluSail Gallery and later established and curated an art gallery, beginning in 2008, featuring rotating artists at his church. In March of 2022, the art gallery was officially named the Bradford Art Gallery at Saint Francis by the Sea in his honor.

Tim was an active member of Saint Francis by the Sea, the Episcopal Church that he loved so much. He served the church in a variety of positions including as Verger, sang in the Choir of St. Francis and was elected to the Vestry. Here, Tim and Meg formed a community they considered family.

During his time in Carteret County, Tim served on several local nonprofit boards, including the Board of Realtors, the Carteret Community Foundation, the Carteret Arts Forum, the Arts Council of Carteret County, and served as president of the Brandywine Owner’s association.

Tim is survived by his loving wife, Meg; his sister-in-law, Kathy Collins, and her husband, Tim. He was a beloved uncle to his nieces, Erin Felling and her husband, Tom, and Stefanie Gates and her husband, Nathan, and a cherished “Grunkle” to his great-nephews, Jamie (12), Jackson (10), Ben (9), and Wesley (5).

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, 920 Salter Path Road, Salter Path, NC 28575.

Tim was a true people-person who had the unique ability to light up any room. He will be missed by all who knew him and his legacy will live on.

Family and friends are welcome to share online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.