Bradley Leon Vincent

Preceded in death were his father, Eddie Teeple, adopted father, Samuel Vincent, Grandma Viola, who shared the same birthday as Brad and loved receiving calls from Brad on their special day, and his Uncle Roy, who was like a father to him. As well as his sister-n-law, Jody (Parish) Kildea and Aunt Vicki Kildea who always made it a point to see Brad when we visited Michigan. Survived by his mother Lynda and Pops (Dave Bradley), brothers Troy (Martha) and Nick, and niece, Samantha, and sister, Joy (Jerry) Reid, and nephew, Jase. Also survived by his in-laws, Mick, who Brad also cherished as a father figure, and Sally Kildea, as well as Kim (Drew) Lensky, Kevin Kildea, Kent and Kris Kildea, Kurt Kildea, along with many nieces, nephews, and greats on the Kildea side. Also survived by his Aunt Joy Williams and Uncle Leon Barlow, both were his confidants and he loved them both dearly.

Brad and Kristie’s love story began when both were in middle school in Williamston, Michigan at the ages of 12 and 13. But due to a work move across country to California for Brad’s family, there were 9 years in between before Brad and Kristie met up again while she was in college at Arizona State University. Brad and Kristie started dating and then moved together to Kansas City, MO for Kristie’s first big girl job out of college with Hallmark Cards. From there, Brad and Kristie moved numerous times making new friends everywhere they lived because Brad never knew a stranger. Partners in many euchre games to partners in life, they married on August 17, 1996, and settled back in Kansas City, MO preparing to give birth to their baby girl in February 2001.

When Brad’s daughter was 5 weeks old, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 30. He underwent two stem cell transplants, the 2nd being cells donated from his brother, Troy, who was a perfect match as well as the same blood-type. Initially when Brad was diagnosed, his prognosis was 5 to 7 years to live, but after the 2nd transplant, he was cancer-free thanks to Troy’s stem cells.

While Brad went through treatment, he was determined to help other people going through similar cancer issues and treatment, often saying it may not help me, but if I can help another person in the future, I want to. He participated in many clinical trials to help with side-effects of stem cell transplants, the biggest being Graft Versus Host Disease. He also liked the thought of being written up in medical journals, which he was for the research he provided while he battled cancer and after-effects of a stem cell transplant.

Brad adored his girls, Joy and Kristie, loved his families, and made it a point to call his 4 grandmothers just to check in on them. He was a loving son, husband, dad, brother, grandson, nephew, “brosin,” and friend, always there to give advice, listen, or offer a helping hand. Many will miss his phone calls, always checking in and wanting to discuss the latest and what was on his mind and hear other’s points of view, but that did not mean he was not going to debate you.

Other loves of Brad were his Rottweiler, Darwin, his best friend, and the best dog ever, he lovingly called “the kid.” As well as fishing because he believed it added years to his life, camping because he was a social butterfly around the campground, and working on his trains or crafts as he loved working with wood and with his hands. Another pastime for Brad was listening to the Pete Mundo morning talk show in Kansas City. He loved calling in, sharing a joke, or discussing the latest news in the northland with Pete and his team. And if he was caller of the day, which he was many times, he would be sure to let Kristie know as that made his day.

Brad also had a special connection to children and them him. He loved kids, and always made it a point to make all kids he encountered feel special and wanted to teach in every interaction. He loved the song “Teach your Children Well” and lived by that whether it was his own child or not. He especially loved all his nieces and nephews and made it a point to be there for them from childhood to adulthood.

He will be terribly missed. If you knew Brad, you knew he had many wonderful qualities as well as one-liners or what his family lovingly called “Bradisms.” Ask Brad how he was doing, and he would always answer, “if I were any better, I would be twins,” or “I have to run around in the shower to get wet,” or “I am a high-tech redneck,” or “the last time I tried to walk on water, I am pretty sure I got wet.” And his daughter’s favorite, “Be safe, be good, and have fun, in that order!” Brad also had a keen love for music and would always quiz anyone by asking the name of the song, artist, and year the minute it came on the radio. While at times, we may have been a little tired of being schooled all the time when it came to music, now listening to music will never be the same.

Thank you, Brad, for making your presence, being a wonderful father, devoted husband, loyal son, loving brother, and a wonderful friend to all who knew you. You will forever be missed by all who knew you and considered a hero in so many ways as you battled cancer to stay here on this planet to experience many milestones with your wife and families, raise and teach your daughter well, and impact the lives of many who were fortunate to cross paths with you.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations support the Bone Marrow Transplant Fund at The University of Kansas Health System. Donations can be made payable to The University of Kansas Health System and mailed to Fund Development, 11300 Corporate Ave, Suite 240, Mailstop 9241, Lenexa, KS 66219 or visit giving.kansashealthsystem.com. Also the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or Habitat for Humanity in memory of Brad.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyantiochchapel.com for the Vincent family.