Allen "Brad" McCann

He is survived by his loving wife, Kay, his son Michael (wife Tonya), daughter Sheila, his sister Shirley and his brother Doug (wife Donna), 5 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.

After graduating from Hastings College and the University of Neb. in 1960, Brad moved to Colorado. Soon after arriving in Denver, he met Kay on a blind date. His career as a successful electrical engineer began with the FAA. Soon, son Michael arrived and two years later Sheila was born. In 1970, he earned his Masters in business administration with a financial emphasis from CU. Brad moved on to Isbell and Assoc. (an Airport design and engineering company) from where he retired in 2000. He was a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society, Aviation Lighting Technical Committee, was a Registered Professional Engineer holding licenses in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Alaska. Whether you are flying in good weather or bad, taking off or landing at many regional airports west of the Mississippi you can thank Brad for the safety of runway lights, taxiway directions and other instruments keeping you safe. His attention to mathematical detail was put to test not only in his work but also while helping his kids and grandkids with math homework. At times, his dedication to math brought on tears and frustration. For Brad, the steps, process, and lessons were as important as the correct answer.

Growing up, he was an active player on the high school 6-man football and basketball teams. His greatest high school honor was, “He graduated at the top of his class but he didn’t even make the top 10%, because there were only 9 in his class.” Life on the farm instilled in Brad the lessons that dedication and hard work will pay off. Not only was he athletic, he was also musical. As a kid, Brad played the trombone; later, he and Kay became active in the church choir. Ultimately, after Kay joined the bell choir, he became a dedicated, traveling bell choir roadie. As a result, Brad and Kay traveled twice to Canada, once to Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. When he and Kay landed in New Zealand, Brad discovered that the New Zealand Airport had a ‘sister’ Airport in Aspen, where he was redesigning a lighting project. Upon returning to Colorado, he was excited to relay to the Aspen Airport authorities that he had visited their ‘sister’ Airport in New Zealand.

For many years, Brad’s office was located at Stapleton Airport. During this time, his favorite dinner conversation starter was “Guess who I ran into today?” His biggest contribution to everyone he knew, or encountered, and loved was his childhood stories and his lessons about life. His heartfelt message to all of the girls in the family was, “Girls can do it too, and mom you are one of the girls!” He believed anyone could achieve, regardless of who they were or where they came from. Determination was the key to obtaining goals. Always the engineer, Brad enjoyed helping others engineer their right solution.

When he needed a break, Brad loved to picnic in Estes Park. As an avid fly-fisher, he taught many family members the thrill of a bad day fishing being better than a good day at work. Brad often remarked, “I have never met anyone who could worry and fish at the same time.” It was important to Brad to do things correctly, so his children and grandchildren spent time practicing their fly-casting in the yard or even the street. He was the best knot un-tangler any fishing buddy could possibly have.

After Brad retired in 2000, he became a great caretaker and a Jell-O juice maker for his beloved grandchildren. He and Kay also began volunteering at the National Western Stock Show where he was in his height of glory visiting with ranchers and cattlemen from around the world. Here, too, he would typically run into someone he knew when he was out in the stockyards or around the grounds.

Among many things that will be missed is the yearly visit from the ‘Sock Santa’. Each year Brad would gift greatly needed socks to his son and grandchildren, probably a hint to “‘put your shoes on before going outside!”

Brads loving and giving heart touched a myriad of people. Family and friends were also near and dear to his heart. Often his caring and generosity overflowed to the many others who walked through his life.

In all our hearts, he will live forever.

Following the service, please join the family for another one of Brad’s favorite treats – Cookies. Brads philosophy was that the optimal number of cookies was 6, and best enjoyed dunked in milk. If anyone wants to dunk his or her cookies, Brad heartily would give his permission.