Bradley Bales could have been a chemistry teacher. He surely knew that the meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. It would be impossible to calculate the number of transformations in which Brad was a variable, but then, he wasn’t keeping score. He was born to Thomas and Donna (Morgan) Bales in 1955, and inherited his parent’s gregarious nature. Brad made friends easily wherever he went; his quirky, laid-back style and quick wit won over classmates, neighbors, colleagues, checkout clerks, mail carriers, stray dogs, and of course, students. Hundreds of students. His legacy will live on in the lives of many who will tell tales of classroom pranks, epic photo bombs, and history lessons taught through the medium of Janice Joplin and the Beatles. Brad taught and coached in various capacities in Dayton, Ohio and several cities in Texas, but his happiest and proudest years were spent at Trimble Tech High School in Fort Worth, Texas where he cultivated enduring relationships as a teacher in the classroom and as a coach on the soccer field. After his retirement, Brad continued to serve as mentor and friend to former students, and stayed connected to former colleagues and coaches, as long as they were willing to give audience to his enthusiastic support of two of his favorites—Tottenham Soccer, and The Ohio State Buckeyes. Through the magic of Facebook, he shared dozens of his original writings and short stories, mostly about his idyllic childhood with his much-loved siblings, and he published several books about teaching and coaching. Certainly there are countless reactions and transformations rippling from the force that was Brad Bales, and his impact will positively influence generations to come. Brad made his transition on November 21st, and is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Donna (Morgan), and is survived by his brothers, Barry (Sandra), and Dana Mark (Sharon) of Dayton, Ohio, and sister Andrea (Tim Donofrio), of Fort Wayne, Indiana, dear friend Ann Wettengel Wood, Arlington, Texas, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Brad’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 27th at 7:00pm, with a visitation and reception beginning at 5:30 at Shannon Rufe Snow Drive Funeral Chapel, 6001 Rufe Snow Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76148.
In lieu of flowers, Brad’s family requests that in his honor, friends reach out to a marginalized student who could benefit from some guidance and support.
