FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Edwin Bradberry, businessman, philanthropist and Northwest Arkansas community leader passed away this week at his home in Fayetteville.

Bradberry was born in Crossett, grew up in Monticello, and attended Rice University, where he met his wife, Karlee. He worked for several companies in the petroleum industry before founding Continental Ozark, where he was CEO for 17 years. He later started his own investment firm, B & B Resources, serving as CEO for 45 years.

He made Northwest Arkansas his home in the mid-1970s, settling his family on a farm in Brentwood that had served as their vacation home for several years. He became very active in the Northwest Arkansas community, both as a business leader and a generous philanthropist.

Bradberry was a charter member of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Authority as well as the Northwest Arkansas Council, reflecting his commitment to the growth and prosperity of the region.

He also had deep ties to the University of Arkansas, serving as a member of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee, the Board of Advisors, and the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee. He was a charter member of the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board of the Sam M. Walton College of Business. In addition he and his wife endowed the Edwin and Karlee Bradberry Chair in Information Systems in the Walton College as well as several scholarships campus-wide.

Bradberry and his wife are recognized in the Towers of Old Main, which honors the university’s most generous benefactors.

"Ed Bradberry was one of the finest people I have ever known,” said U of A Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “He was extraordinarily generous to so many important philanthropies, including the University of Arkansas. He was a real gentleman, a renaissance man in so many ways, with so many interests. He loved the arts, athletics, education, medical science, business and his love of life and people had a far and wide reach. He was so much fun to be around and exuded confidence and integrity in everything he did and supported."

“Jane and I have lost a great friend and confidant and we will miss him very much. We send our deepest sympathy to his wonderful wife, Karlee and his devoted family.  He was simply the best of the best. Fayetteville has lost a phenomenal citizen and Arkansas has lost a real treasure. His legacy is very strong and will live on for many, many years. We rejoice in the incredible life he lived so well." 

Bradberry’s donations to the community include the City of Fayetteville Peace Fountain, the Walton Arts Center Amphitheater, and several sculptures to the Fayetteville Public Library and Washington Regional Medical Center. He also created the Bradberry Family Foundation.