Cale Duane Bradford

Cale Duane Bradford

November 20, 2008 – July 3, 2026

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

— 2 Timothy 4:7

There are no words that can truly express the depth of our heartbreak as we announce the passing of our precious son, Cale Duane Bradford, on July 3, 2026. At just 17 years old, Cale left this world far too soon, leaving behind a family, countless friends, and a community that will love and miss him for the rest of our lives.

If you knew Cale, you knew his heart.

He never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and somehow leave them smiling. He had a way of making people feel seen, welcomed, and important. He loved fiercely, laughed loudly, and lived with a heart that was always looking for someone to encourage, protect, or help. His loyalty ran deep, and those fortunate enough to know him knew they always had someone in their corner.

More than anything in this world, Cale loved his family. Being an uncle brought him a joy that is hard to put into words. His nephew, Bextin Duane Bradford, and his niece, Sutton Rae Simmons, absolutely lit up his world. They weren’t just his niece and nephew—they were two of the greatest blessings in his life. Whether he was making them laugh, holding them close, or talking about them with pride, they had his whole heart.

Cale had a passion for motocross that went far beyond riding. He loved watching the young peewee riders race and was always willing to encourage them, help them, or celebrate their successes. He believed in cheering others on and found genuine joy in watching young riders grow in confidence.

He also loved fishing, history, and anything with a motor. If it had wheels, gears, or an engine, Cale wanted to know everything about it. He was always ready for the next adventure, whether it was riding, camping, working on something mechanical, or simply spending time outdoors with the people he loved.

One of the things that made Cale so special was his willingness to grow. He graduated a year early from the Wyoming Boys School, an accomplishment he was incredibly proud of. He never hid that chapter of his life. Instead, he openly shared how the Wyoming Boys School had helped save his life and gave him the opportunity to become the young man God created him to be.

Over the last year, Cale’s faith became deeply personal. His Bible stayed beside his bed, its pages filled with highlighted verses, notes written in the margins, and reminders of God’s promises. Watching his relationship with Christ grow was one of the greatest gifts we were blessed to witness. His faith gave him hope, direction, and peace, and it became the foundation upon which he was building his future.

Cale was excited about what lay ahead. He had recently met with an Army recruiter and was also considering attending HVAC trade school. He had dreams, plans, and an entire life waiting for him. Though we will never get to see those dreams fulfilled here on earth, we are forever grateful for the hope, purpose, and faith he discovered along the way.

Cale is survived by his loving parents, Chad and Becky Bradford; his sisters, Katie Bradford, Maddie Bradford (Quaid), and Hailey Bradford (Landon); his beloved nephew, Bextin Duane Bradford; his cherished niece, Sutton Rae Simmons; his grandmother, Robyn Koltiska; his grandparents, Rick and Denise Bradford; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends who became family.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, John Koltiska, who undoubtedly greeted him with open arms.

As his family, we will spend the rest of our lives missing the young man we loved beyond measure. We will miss his laugh, his hugs, his stories, his protectiveness, his goofy sense of humor, and the way he made every room brighter just by walking into it.

While our hearts are shattered by the loss of the years we thought we would have with him, we are forever grateful for the seventeen years God entrusted him to us. Loving Cale was one of the greatest blessings of our lives.

Cale’s life reminds us that a person’s story is never defined by their mistakes, but by the love they give, the faith they find, and the lives they touch. In just seventeen years, Cale changed more hearts than many people do in a lifetime.

Our hearts are broken, but our hope is not lost. We find comfort knowing that Cale placed his faith in Jesus Christ and that because of that faith, this goodbye is not forever. We hold tightly to the promise that one day we will be reunited, where there will be no more pain, no more tears, and no more goodbyes.

Until then, we will honor Cale by loving others the way he did—with kindness, loyalty, compassion, and an open heart. We will remember his adventurous spirit, his willingness to help anyone in need, his love for children, his passion for motocross, and the unwavering love he had for his family.

We love you beyond words, Cale. You will always be our son, our brother, our uncle, and our greatest blessing. Though your time here was far too short, your impact will live on for generations.

A celebration of Cale’s life will be held at a later date. Details will be shared with family and friends once arrangements have been finalized.