Brad is survived and loved by his loving wife of 35 years, Esther; 2 wonderful sons, Nate (Jeanne) and Trent; brother, Ron (Joan) Lewis; sister, Sherry (Tom) Hanke; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and friends.
Brad is preceded in death by his parents; Bennie and Sybil.
To summarize a life that was so full is nearly impossible.
But to truly tell the story of who Brad was, I'll have to go back a ways.
He was an unexpected blessing to the family he was born into, and eventually to the one he would create. He came into this world not knowing how important he would be to so many people.
Brad built his strongest relationship with his wife, Esther. Together they became this fantastic collaboration of love, perseverance, understanding, and inside jokes that most others didn't understand. Together they raised two pretty awesome boys that show who their father was as a person throughout their daily lives.
With an illuminating perspective on life, he helped his children through many tough times. Whether he was keeping them out of trouble or just keeping them up as they worked through it. He never faltered.
Countless lives were affected by him. Whether it be through his work, his fellowship, or his closest friends and family.
But in the last few weeks that Brad had in his physical journey - from his hospitalization, to his coming home, to his "Going Home" - we got to see just how many people he influenced, and how much he was truly loved.
We can't necessarily say goodbye, mostly because he still lives on in so many hearts and so many memories. So, until we all see you again, keep doing what you always did.
