LOA remembers former student Spencer Bradley

Lake Oconee Academy held a service on Friday night at Tucker Field to remember former student Spencer Bradley, who tragically passed away last week.

He was a soccer player for the Titans and was a member of the class of 2021. Bradley played under former head coach Julie Brooker and was a member of the LOA boys’ soccer team that was the Class A-Public state runner-up in 2018.

Brooker posted a message on her Facebook profile about how much Bradley meant to the program while he was enrolled at LOA.

“Life will never be the same without you Spencer. When the guys made you smile, it made me happy,” Brooker’s post read. “I wish you could have heard my conversations with Coach Redding and how he praised you. He knew you were a special talent—and that’s coming from the best. You know my only two yellow cards as a coach came from you not wearing your shinguards. Man, our teams stacked up cards—you guys played hard, you were passionate, and y’all made it happen. As time passes, it becomes more and more clear to all of us that our four years together on the field were a gift. Now, without you here, even more so. Not many people get to experience being a part of something bigger than themselves, but our team did. You played a huge role in that. Thank you for roaming the midfield, striking from the wing and for sticking it out when times were tough. We will carry a piece of you with us always.”

Titans’ athletic director Chris Ingle spoke with the Lake Oconee News about Bradley.

He recalled when Bradley first started playing soccer at Lake Oconee Academy.

“Spencer was one of our earliest really talented players,” Ingle said. “His family loves soccer and so does all of his friends. I think he played since he could walk.”

Ingle described Bradley as an “all-around great kid.”

“He had a huge smile and was very talented,” he added.”…He was one of those kids that just was so good and soccer it looked like it was almost easy (for him). Sometimes he almost looked bored on the field. He was so creative with the ball. Spencer was one those that could kind of go and make his way down the field. You wouldn’t really notice him and then all of a sudden, he explodes. He’d go right through the whole defense and score.”

Bradley’s sister, Sophia, just graduated from LOA and was a member of the Lady Titans’ program for the past couple of seasons. The love for the game of soccer ran through the family, even parents Patt and David Bradley, who both strongly supported their kids and the Lake Oconee Academy athletics program.

Ingle expressed love for the entire family and how much they have meant to the school.

“Everybody loves them,” he said. “Sophia has a huge personality. A huge heart. A huge smile. She’s a very tough defensive player for us for the past four years. Also, she’s been a strong cheerleader for LOA. She was homecoming queen and had an incredible senior year. The parents, David and Patti, are dentists in the community. They support the school and lots of different community organizations. It was very tragic, and the community is definitely hurting.”

Ingle stated that the school has emotional support resources available if needed.

“Our big focus is just to offer any support that we can for students and parents,” Ingle said. “We made those resources known on Friday. The school is really coming together. You see in the worst of times of just how great this community is. Not only our school community but the community as a whole…I always talk about our teams and school being family. You’re seeing it (right now). Out on that field on Friday night, it was just one huge family.”

According to his obituary, Bradley was born on Jan. 12, 2003, in Milledgeville.

After graduating from LOA, he attended Kennesaw State University, which is where he just finished his first year. Bradley was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity at KSU and enjoyed his time establishing relationships with his brothers.

Besides playing soccer, he enjoyed modifying his Dodge Charger, spending time with his friends and vacationing with family. Bradley loved all animals, especially his cat, Monet (Momo), and his dog, Jax.

Besides his mother, father and sister, he is survived by grandparents: Rex and Margaret Bradley, Violet Huibregtse, Anees Hemaidan, and Carol Papke; many loving uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. Spencer ispreceded in death by his grandfather, Norman Huibregtse.

A celebration of Spencer’s life will occur on June 25. The service begins at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church South Campus, 4741 Carey Station Road, Greensboro, with Rev. Stan Patterson officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church from 1 p.m. until time for the service.

The family asks that any memorials be made to the Spencer Bradley Foundation for Mental Health, www.SpencerBradley Foundation.org.