He graduated from Springville High School and then began studies at Brigham Young University.

He then married Mary Ann Bird, a native of Mapleton, Utah, in the Salt Lake Temple.

After this he moved to McAllen, Texas, and began a fruit-growing operation called International Fruit Growers and Shippers, Inc.

Bradford was heavily involved in LDS Church outreach to Mexican Americans in the McAllen area.

[citation needed] Bradford later served as a mission president in Santiago, Chile.