If anyone wishes to see more photos of Brad go to Facebook to check out the trout camp photos.

Brad, what a beautiful soul. The best word that comes to mind when I think of Brad is admiration. Admiration for his wealth of knowledge that he always so willingly shared with others, his staggering work ethic and incessant need to do a job well done, and his overflowing kindness and warmth. He once described me as genuine and coming from a man who was so genuine himself I cannot tell you what this meant to me. He will be forever missed but will always live on in our hearts.

My condolences go out to Brad's family. I went to high school with him ,he was a friend to all. So sorry for your loss. RIP Brad

I knew Brad in HS and in my journeys through life I have to say that Brad was one of if the most kind and gentle souls I have ever met.  I was happy to read about is life, with the gardens and animals and family, it sounds like it was a good life which is what he deserved.  My heart goes out to his family and close friends.

To Tresea, Travis and Jacob-
Our thoughts are with you.  As you can see by all these notes, Brad touched a lot of lives just by being himself.  My wife said "he was a very cool, straightforward guy" which I think is true.  But also, he was wonderfully thoughtful, funny and kind.  I will always think of Brad as a personal role model, even a hero.  When my first child was born Brad's advice included the idea of reserving really strict punishment for only the most serious of matters.  I could tell from this that he had long lived and considered the merits of mercy, especially with one's own kids.  Brad was very proud of his sons and spoke of both of you frequently when we worked together.  His love for Tresea was also manifest in his affectionate speech.  Bradley got along well with people, with a rare ease and no trace of ego.  I could fo on, but words simply fail to illuminate someone who shone so brightly.  Much love from our family.

I'm saddened to learn of Brad's passing.  Gleaning apples won't be the same.  Rest well Brad, you've earned your rest.

My deepest sympathy to Brad's family.  I first met him at the Food Bank office when I first began volunteering. I had the opportunity to continue to work with him through the Garden Project.  He hadn't wealth of knowledge that he willingly shared with any one.  When we were at the Resource Center together he was my go to person to help clients get answers to their questions.  Mostly I remember his smile and good humor when ever he saw me.  I will miss him and his smile very much!
-Zel Seidenberg (Haslett, MI)

Dear Tresea, Travis and Jacob,
I am still in shock that Brad is gone.  I am so sorry for the pain you are suffering.  Everyone that knew Brad loved him and when I read a previous entry about the twinkle in his eye, I realized that it what the trait I will miss most about him.  He was smart, dedicated, passionate and was always having fun. What an honor that my aunt Tresea asked if I would officiate the Celebration of Life for my uncle Brad.  It is an honor to celebrate the life of such an honorable man.
Love,
Amy

Over the eight short months I got to know Brad, I was exposed to someone with an incredible work ethic, an amazing knowledge of growing food, and a deep commitment to getting food to those in need.  Along with this strong character, Brad was an amazing colleague.  If I ran into him at the Resource Center, he was eager to know what I was up to, and typically had helpful tips based on his own experiences. I loved how thoughtful he was, his delightful wit, the twinkle in his eye and how quick he was to laugh.  From the bottom of my heart, I will miss him so much and I am so sorry for his family's loss.

My deep condolences and sympathy to Brad's family and friends. He will be sorely missed at the food bank/ gleaning. He was always willing to help, and he has good sense of humor too. Yes we definitely will missed him in the next gleaning season.

I also wish Brad's family heartfelt condolences. Brad and I are part of the class of 1974, he was loved by all. He will be 
missed by everyone. RIP our friend.

I know Brad through the Garden Project. He is such a friendly, skillful, and helpful person that we may not be able to find in the near future. He is always ready to help us till the plots, maintain and repair our fences, and maintain our tiller in good working conditions. We will miss him.
Dechun Wang (Okemos, garden leader)

Brad was the first person I encountered in the Garden Project.  I liked him immediately as he was so helpful, knowledgeable, didn't sweat the small stuff, was always busy doing many many diversified projects and was so kind to people.  He was willing to share his knowledge about all things in the garden and above all, he had a fine sense of humor.  He will be remembered fondly and sorely missed. The garden and the warehouse will not be the same without him.
Alice Florida
Lansing

Very sorry to hear of Brad's passing, and sympathy to his family.  He always kept the Gleaning program running smoothly, being careful to direct us to the correct trees, and telling us to "respect the fruit" if we didn't dump it gently into the bins.  He will be sorely missed next apple season.

My heartfelt sympathy to Brad's family and friends. He will be sorely missed at the food bank, both in the warehouse and in the orchards this fall. He was one of a kind and one of the coolest people I ever got to work with, once I figured out his special sense of humor. RIP Bradley.

Brad Graham Family:  I worked for MSU for more than 43 years, mainly, managing research orchards of apple,apricot,cherry, peach,plum, and pear along College and Jolly Roads.  Surplus fruit from these orchards were donated to the Greater Lansing Food Bank, and probably, for 10 years or more, Brad was the individual who led the gleaning crews that harvested the fruit and shipped them out to those in need.
    For many years we harvested into banana boxes supplied by the Meijer grocery stores, and when Meijer changed their warehouse practices, we picked into watermelon bins that were stacked into delivery trucks by forklift.  Over the years, Brad, I and other MSU workers from the former Plant Pathology Department moved thousands of banana boxes full of fruit and many truck-loads sent to the Food Bank Warehouse.
   Having worked closely with Brad, I knew about his son in college at Michigan Tech., his fishing trip to Alaska, his Springer Spaniel hunting dog "who could get birds out of cover where other dogs failed", his career as a master carpenter framing houses, his love of "nice-big Honey Crisp apples", the fact that he would write a poem about "gleaning in the early morning dew", his ability to get-along with many different personalities of gleaners, his love of all things 'Spartan', "if you have 3 running backs, you don't have one", his love of cats and dogs, and his love of the outdoors.
   Brad could be counted on to get to the University on-time in the morning, log the folks in on his clipboard, supervise the crew for the morning, and supply everyone with a snack and a drink at break-time at mid-morning.  Brad knew that some of us MSU guys enjoyed certain snacks from his trove and he would "squirrel-away" a few treats just for us which we really appreciated.
   Brad was a good-worker which got the respect of everyone at MSU and had a natural rapport with the volunteers.  He was willing to work in adverse conditions and could be counted on to "get the job done."  As a former "farm-boy" myself, I respect people who are willing to sweat for a worth-while cause.
    Brad was amazingly honest, he wouldn't touch or accept fruit that might be part of a university experiment or compromise his ethics.  He could be counted-on to conduct his business with the highest standards...a trait that was essential when working around MSU research.
   When I retired from MSU about 2 years ago, I would see Brad at the GLFB Warehouse on days I would volunteer.  We usually talked MSU athletics, but Brad would also up-date me on Michigan Tech. and give a little history of the Warehouse from the good-old-days.
    Having lost a nephew who was 50 years old with 3 daughters in the past week, I know the hurt that comes from losing a loved-one "way too soon."
    Brad will be deeply missed by both the University, the Food Bank, and his many friends!  You have our Deepest Sympathy.

Gail Ehret (Retired from MSU)

Sending wishes of comfort and peace during this very difficult time for you and your family.

Hello to the Brad Graham Family.  I didn't know Brad very well but only through Tresea Jackson with whom I work with...you are a GREAT family and so happy to know you.  Brad will be missed by many and so surprised that he left so soon...God must have had plans for him.  Tresea and Family, I would like to let you know that if there is anything you need, please let me know. Till then and forever, you are in my prayers.

I knew Brad in high school. He was always a friendly and kind person. So sorry to hear of his sudden passing.

We lost a good one... There aren't enough words to describe what an excellent man Brad Graham was; kind, diligent, honest as the day is long, slyly funny (you were lucky if the joke wasn't 15 feet past you when you got it), witty with a poets soul and a hard worker full to the brim with GSD. He was a much Loved and Respected part of The Garden Project of the Greater Lansing Food Bank's team and he will be sorely missed by many. 

He was always generous with his time and knowledge with folks. He got the utmost respect from the MSU farm managers, staff and the Gleaners at MSU farms -- herding cats as needed! It was a joy to work with him and I got more compliments for him in the first 6 weeks he worked at the GP (when he was tilling home gardens) than I've ever had for an employee or colleague. His 'prose' about the squash gleaning at Rowe Farms is GOLDEN. He was a rare gem.

Much Love to his family at this difficult time. Godspeed B*Rad...

My heartfelt sympathy to you, Pat, Marcia and Cheri.  It's a stunning loss.  I wish you all strength and love.
Cynthia Zaldokas

My heartfelt thoughts are with you Maria, and the family on the loss of Brad.  Keep the memories alive and RIP Brad.

There is nothing we can say that will ease your pain. Brad was a bright light in our lives and will be missed dearly. Our fishing buddy and best friend. It has been our honor to be part of his and your lives. God has called a good one home.

My sympathies to you, Marcia, and to your entire family at this sad time.  He left you all way too soon.

OBITUARIO

Bradley Dean Graham

13 marzo, 1956 – 18 diciembre, 2015

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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