Radio Roxboro Owner David Bradsher Dies at 84

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 1:58pm CT

David Bradsher

Longtime Roxboro, NC broadcaster and Radio Roxboro owner and General Manager John David "Dave" Bradsher died Saturday, September 12, at his home with his family by his side. He was 84.

Bradsher had been a fixture on Roxboro radio for more than three decades after purchasing hometown stations WRXO and WKRX in 1992. Radio Roxboro remembered him as a familiar voice whose commitment to Roxboro and Person County was matched by his "large smile and unforgettable personality."

A Person County native, Bradsher began his radio career at age 16, working part-time at WRXO for Harold Taylor. After graduating from Roxboro High School, where he played trombone in the band, he attended Elon College and served in the Army National Guard.

His broadcasting career later took him to WSIC in Statesville, where he became Program Director. Bradsher subsequently worked in Reidsville and Roanoke Rapids launching new radio stations before returning to Statesville as General Manager of WSIC, WFMX and other properties operated by Statesville Broadcasting Company.

In 1983, Bradsher became a station owner with his purchase of WRNC in Reidsville. Two years later, he moved to Raleigh to work in sports sales for Capitol Broadcasting Company.

The opportunity to return home arrived in 1992, when Bradsher purchased WRXO and WKRX in Roxboro from Wharton Winstead. He would remain closely identified with the stations and the community for the next 34 years.

Person Family Medical Center, one of the local organizations that worked with Bradsher and WKRX over the years, credited him with using local radio to help promote community events, services and health information. The organization remembered his dedication to local broadcasting and his efforts to keep Person County connected.

Bradsher was a member of Roxboro Baptist Church, a Mason and Shriner and a former member of the Rotary Club of Roxboro. He was also an avid fan of University of North Carolina football and basketball and the Carolina Panthers.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Daniel Bradsher; sons David Bradsher Jr. and Matthew Bradsher; bonus sons Guy Ferguson and Frederick Ferguson; brothers Tim Bradsher and Marcus Bradsher; grandson Nicholas Bradsher; and extended family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Person High School Band.