08/10/2025
Minnie Lou Ottinger Bradley
Minnie Lou Bradley, Childress, Texas, passed away after a short illness on August 5, 2025. Services are planned for Monday, August 18, at 2:00 P.M at Mashburn Event Center in Childress, Texas.
She was born December 15, 1931 in Hinton, Oklahoma to Ralph Thomas Ottinger and Zulema Young Ottinger.
Minnie Lou attended Elementary School in Hinton and graduated from High School in Hydro in 1949. Minnie Lou then enrolled at Oklahoma A&M College where she was the first female in the Animal Husbandry program. While a student, she was the first female to be a member of the Livestock Judging Team and was High Individual at the International Livestock Judging Contest during the 1952 International Fat Stock Show in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated in 1953 with a degree in Animal Husbandry and a Minor in Agriculture Journalism.
She began her career with a position at the Texas Angus Association until she married Billy Jack (Bill) Bradley March 5, 1955. They moved immediately to the recently purchased ranch in Childress County that became known as Bradley 3 Ranch in 1955.
Minnie Lou became an icon in the cattle business. She was the first female elected to the American Angus Association Board of Directors in 1998 and is still the only female to have served as their President and Chairman of the Board in 2005.
She was inducted as a member of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 2006 and the National Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery in 2014. In 2018 she was recognized by Garden & Gun Magazine and did a segment on Texas Country Reporter. In 2019 she was recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Agriculture at Oklahoma State University. In 2022 was named an Outstanding Alumnus of the entire University.
Minnie Lou was active in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, serving as Vice Chairman of several committees. She was supporter of Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA) a program to aide cattle producers.
She was a sought after speaker at countless local, regional and national meetings on cattle production. There is not enough time to cover the vast list of Minnie Lou’s achievements. There was never a job or challenge she wasn’t ready to take on.
Beyond her many agricultural and livestock successes, Minnie Lou was a dedicated supporter of young people in Childress County and beyond and was equally active in her community. Over the years she has served on various boards and committees from local 4-H, school board, Ag Day at school, to even being Parade chairman and all things Agriculture related she was involved.
Minnie Lou was passionate about education and devoted lots of time and resources to local youth, not only though elementary and high school, she wanted to be sure they had skills for life. One of her projects (Krockpots for Kids) provided crockpots for youngsters to take home for nourishing meals on evenings and weekends in addition to learning food preparation and safety.
Minnie Lou’s reputation was known throughout agricultural and livestock circles. She was a mentor to countless young women in the agricultural community. There was never a challenge she wasn’t ready to take on.
She was preceded in death by her son Monte Jack Bradley; her parents, Ralph and Zulema Ottinger; her sister Helen Brown, and Helen’s two daughters, Suanne and Kaylinn.
She is survived by Bill Bradley, her daughter Mary Lou Bradley Henderson, husband, James; grandson Raymond Jack Bradley; granddaughter Mandy Ann Popejoy; brother Ted Ottinger; sister Linda Pike; five great-grandchildren, a niece and three nephews, along with countless friends across the nation.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory can be made through the Oklahoma State University Foundation for the Minnie Lou Ottinger Bradley Endowed Scholarship Fund (Fund 21-60600). Please make checks payable to the Oklahoma State University Foundation and mail to OSU Foundation, PO Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749. To make a gift online, go to
https://secure.osugiving.com/s/giving/annual?dsgt=21-60600
Or donations may be made in Minnie Lou’s memory to the American Angus Foundation, 3201 Frederick Avenue, St Joseph MO 64506. AngusFoundation.org
Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home 307 Ave. C NW Childress TX August 17, 2025 from 5-7 p.m.
Celebration of Life to be held at Mashburn Event Center 1100 7th street NW, Childress TX at 2:00pm on August 18 2025.
