Bradley L. Brown's Obituary
Decatur-Bradley Lewis Brown, 64, of Decatur, passed away Friday, September 11, 2009, in his home.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Illinois Conservation Foundation In Memory of Brad Brown. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with these arrangements. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Brad was born on Oct. 20, 1944, in Shreveport, La. He was the son of Samuel and Anna Brown. Brad was an officer with the Decatur Police Department for 26 years and that service included many years as Supervisor of Lake Decatur. Brad was also a salesman for Northtown Ford and Miles Chevrolet in Decatur and 121 Motors in Mount Zion. He was a member of the Decatur Moose Lodge. Brad was an avid fisherman and hunter, having caught the outdoors “bug” when he was a child. He got hooked on fishing while casting into the Mississippi River near Hannibal, Mo., and was introduced to the outdoors by a series of mentors who knew a lesson Brad would always try to pass along: Take a kid fishing or hunting and you’ll enrich that child’s life forever. Much of Brad’s life was spent fishing on Lake Shelbyville, waterfowl hunting throughout the Midwest or in the woods hunting deer and wild turkeys. Brad was a frequent contributor writing for the outdoors page in the Herald & Review and for 17 years served as co-host of “The Outdoors Show” radio program on WDZ and WSOY. He became a noted outdoors communicator and throughout the state of Illinois Brad’s voice on issues important to the outdoors resonated with passion and commitment.
He leaves to cherish his many memories, his “Angel” of 13 years, Donna, daughter Shara (Stephen) LeBeau and sister Beth (Mike) Green of Arvada, Colo. He also leaves a granddaughter, Gracelyn R. LeBeau, and a nephew, Ted Thompson. He also leaves his beloved black Labrador retriever and loyal friend, Cassie.
Brad was preceded in death by his mother and father.
We would like to thank all of the nurses on the fifth floor of Decatur Memorial Hospital, the hospice nurses and the doctors who provided Brad with such excellent care.
We would also like to give a special thank you to all of Brad’s friends, too numerous to mention, for all of the care, concern and support during a difficult time. And to the support Brad received from members of his church, Glad Tidings Assembly of God.
Brad said he wished for one more day on the water, one more glorious morning in the woods, one more experience to share with a friend in the outdoors he so loved. But he acknowledged he’d been blessed to have been given so many, and he considered his life rich and full because of it.
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