Randy Scott Bradshaw

Randy Scott Bradshaw passed from this life at his home in Abernathy, Texas on August 28, 2025, at the age of 69. A devoted husband, he and his wife Karen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary earlier this year. Randy grew up in the small town of Cotton Center. He attended school there and later at South Plains College, where he majored, of all things, in photographic journalism. Randy was known far and wide as a horseshoer, which is all he ever really wanted to be. An unassuming man, he never referred to himself as a farrier. He was simply a horseshoer, and a good one. He wanted that on his headstone—A Good Horseshoer. He shod horses of all types across several states, and even in sweltering heat or bitter cold, he enjoyed it. Whether it was a high-dollar race stallion or a kid's pony, he was proud to do it. He shod lame pro-rodeo horses one day and feedlot horses the next, and he was glad of them all. When the toll of too many horses forced his retirement some years back, Randy struggled with the change. For him, it wasn't simply what he did for a living. It was who he was. A good horseshoer. He wasn't just good under a horse. For years he trained roping horses, and for a brief, unexplainable and exciting time, mules. He also raised, trained and trialed sheepdogs, and he judged numerous dog trials. Randy was preceded in death by two grandsons, Fox and Boone Bradshaw, as well as his parents, Ray and Louise Bradshaw. He is survived by his wife Karen, son John and his wife Sara Bradshaw, daughter Kate and her husband Bryan Phillips, granddaughters Jenna and Kara Phillips, honorary son Beever Valdez, brothers Terry and Paul Bradshaw, and a list of friends far too lengthy to list. Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 4, at 10:00 a.m. at Abernathy United Church. Services are under the direction of Abell Funeral & Flower Shop of Abernathy, Texas. The family suggests memorial donations be made to The Julian Boone Effect, PO Box 64565 Lubbock, Texas 79464.