Gordon (Brad) Bradburn, who welcomed scores of visitors to The Bradburn Gallery in High Point and was father of company founder Bruce Bradburn, died in November from complications related to surgery. He was 88.

Brad Bradburn became the doorman at The Bradburn Gallery's lighting and decorative accessory showroom in April 1989, when he was 70. “He showed up at our first market and asked how he could help,” Bruce Bradburn said. “We assigned him the position of greeter. He grabbed a cane, took his position, and for 18 years, welcomed guests as they passed the showroom entrance.”

Dubbed affectionately by some show-goers as the “High Point Hooker,” Bradburn developed a reputation of politely walking the hallways of the Green Wing at the International Home Furnishings Center and inviting buyers to explore The Bradburn Gallery, said Jennifer Meschke, marketing director. He once followed the singer Cher down the hall when she passed and convinced her to turn around and explore his son's showroom, she said.

Bradburn was a retired Air Force veteran. “He was in command of an air rescue squadron in the early 1950s when he personally flew a rescue mission to the North Pole, which would be chronicled by Life magazine,” said Bruce Bradburn. Later, he was commander of the 14th Air Commando Wing in Vietnam.

He flew more 300 combat missions in Vietnam and received the Legion of Merit Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, Purple Heart and both Army and Air Force commendation medals.

“He loved the IHFC and said it made him proud to be an American,” Bruce Bradburn said.

Last fall, when illness prevented Bradburn from greeting visitors at the High Point Market, Meschke said, “We must have had 500 people stop and ask us where he was. It really warmed your heart.”

He is also survived by a grandson, Ryan Bradburn, who is inventory manager for The Bradburn Gallery.