Dr. James Glenn Bradley (“Glenn”)
Dr. James Glenn Bradley (“Glenn”) passed away peacefully at home on April 2nd, 2026. He was 86 years old. He is survived by his loving and faithful wife of almost 61 years, Marlyn Lenora Bradley (Lenora) and his three children, Mike, Scott and Tracy. Glenn is also survived by 9 wonderful grandchildren. His legacy lives on and will not be forgotten. As a physician, Glenn impacted countless lives in the Santa Barbara community for decades.
Glenn was born January 26, 1940 in Ottawa Ontario (Canada), born to James Patrick and Evelyn Bradley. His father served in WWII in the Canadian Army and Glenn did not meet him until 1945. He graduated from St. Patrick’s College high school in 1958 and then completed Glebe Collegiate junior college, joining the Canadian Air Force reserves. He attended the University of Ottawa, completing medical school in 1965 where he was President of the Medical Society. During medical school he met the love of his love, Lenora who was in nursing school originally from Mackey, Ontario. Upon graduating from medical school, he was accepted to the UCLA Residency program at Harbor General Hospital in Torrance CA. Glenn and Lenora were married June 1st, 1965; they packed up their convertible Pontiac Parisien and drove 3,200 miles to the west coast of the United States. Apart from a brief return to Ottawa for surgical training, Glenn remained in California for the rest of his life.
In 1971, after completing his residency in Obstetrics/Gynecology at Harbor General, Glenn joined the Santa Barbara Medical Clinic and began a 45 year medical practice in the SantaBarbara Community. “Dr B.” as he was affectionately known, brought passion, enthusiasm and boundless empathy for all those he cared for. Staff at Cottage Hospital (specifically the Labor and Delivery room!) will remember him for his kindness, caring, and energy – even at 3am.
Dr. Bradley delivered more than 5,000 babies in his obstetrics care, and he took great pride and responsibility in knowing he was a guiding hand in so many new lives. Glenn always pushed himself to be at the forefront of medicine, to advance patient care, and be a leader in innovative surgical techniques. He was a pioneer in endoscopic gynecological surgery, advising the industry, and proctoring in the U.S. and as far abroad as Ireland, Canada and Moscow, Russia. Dr. Bradley’s driving mission in his practice was improving patient quality of life.
Apart from his medical practice, Glenn’s other great passion in life was the sea; he started sailing soon after he moved to Santa Barbara, and was a member of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club for more than 40 years. You could often find him racing on “Wet Wednesday’s” or with Thursday Afternoon Sailing Society. He always felt at home at the Yacht Club, and the Bradley family would like to thank the staff there for their kindness and attentiveness over the many years. Dr. Bradley had a kind word and infectious smile for everyone down at the harbor, where he’d often spend his weekends working on the Meridian and the Quengaelic.
We’d like to thank Central Coast Care for their support in Glenn’s final weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation. https://www.cottagehealth.org/giving/foundations/santa-barbara-cottage-hospital/
We miss Grandpa and he will always be in our hearts.
For those I love…. For those who love me
When I am gone release me, let me go… I have so many things to see and do. You must not tie yourselves to me with tears. Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess.. How much you gave me in happiness.. I thank you for the love you each have shown, But now it is time I traveled all alone.
So grieve awhile, if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust that it is only for a while that we must part. So bless the memories that lie within your heart.
I will not be far away, for life goes on. If you need me, call, and I will come. Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near, And if you listen with your heart, you will hear all of my love around you, soft and clear.
Then, when you must come this way alone I will greet you with a smile and a “Welcome Home.”
