Obituary:
Kevin Matthew Bradley was a son, a brother, a husband, a father and a friend. With grace and humor, Kevin enriched the lives of those who loved him and knew him for more than 56 years. He died Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation Hospital in Casper, WY following back surgery.
The son of Robert and Tana Bradley, Kevin was born June 30, 1960. He had five older brothers and sisters and grew up in boisterous settings. Through his charm and natural good humor he was often the life of the party. Kevin was a “people person” and could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere.
He grew up in Sheridan, attending Coffeen Elementary School and Central Junior High. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1978. He attended classes at Sheridan College.
Kevin enjoyed hunting and fishing and packed into the Bighorn Mountains and the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area using llamas that he had raised and trained. He was an accomplished skier, some would say fearless because of his aggressive downhill abilities. Kevin was a good softball player and was a member of the Cablevision slo-pitch softball team that won multiple state championships in the 1980s. Kevin and his teammates competed in tournaments every weekend during those seasons, traveling throughout Wyoming and the West.
Kevin worked many years in the surveying business for Engineering, Inc., a Sheridan company.
He married Cheryle Kay Long June 1, 1991. They were married just five months when he suffered severe and traumatic head injuries in a motor vehicle accident while working near Sheridan for the State of Wyoming on Nov. 7, 1991. He spent 53 weeks in recovery at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado and Bear Creek Rehabilitation in Aurora before returning home. He continued therapy the remainder of his life with his “never give up” attitude.
Kevin and Cheryle were blessed with a son, Christian Spenser Bradley, on April 12, 1999. Kevin had longed to be a father and that day was one of the happiest of his life. He and Cheryle spent 17 years raising Christian. Kevin encouraged Christian as he climbed the ranks and enjoyed the experiences of the Boy Scouts. Kevin’s appreciation of fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, sports, weight training and joke telling affected Christian’s life positively. Christian is a junior at Sheridan High School. The family are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where Kevin was active in classes and events. He shared his humor and grateful testimony of Jesus Christ often.
Kevin enjoyed making walking sticks from diamond willow and working around his yard and property. He sold few of his walking sticks as he usually made them for a particular person or simply made a new friend who quickly received one. He was a sports fan, enjoying the Steelers in football, the Cubbies in baseball, golf and was also an avid fan of the television program, “Jeopardy.” It was not a surprise for friends and family to receive a phone call from Kevin to see if they knew the answer to final “Jeopardy.” Especially if he had answered correctly. If a friend's team won a game they usually got a call from Kevin. He did the same on birthdays and holidays. He was given the title of Mayor of Whitetail Subdivision as he plowed each neighbors drive after snow fall and harrowed after rain fall. When new people moved in he was the welcoming smile of the neighborhood. When he learned of an illness, challenge or need he called, visited and kept in contact until the the illness or challenge was over for he knew the sorrow and loneliness when others were silent.
Kevin began his days by stepping outside to watch the sunrise and he marveled at the beauty of nature. He called his mother, Tana, every morning. He was a good son and brother, a generous spirit with his wit and humor, and one who faced his disabilities of 25 years with grace and determination. His doctors, therapists and newly made friends were constantly inspired by him.
Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Robert L. Bradley, and his oldest brother, Robert C. Bradley.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryle Bradley and son, Christian Bradley. His mother, Tana Bradley of Sheridan, also survives him as does his siblings David Bradley, Penny Barkan, Susan (Stephen) Woody, all of Sheridan; his brother, Daniel (Chris)Bradley, of Katy, Texas.
A visitation will take place from 6 pm to 8 pm Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Champion Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, October 17, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2051 Colonial Drive, Sheridan with Bishop Joseph Katschke officiating. Burial to follow in the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.
