I just found out this horrible news because my son is now good friends with one of Brad’s daughter’s friend. They met as freshmen at UC, Brad’s proud alumna. I met Brad in his early years with Jane Popa and Tush. Julie and I were roommates at OSU. The Popa’s have always held a special place in my heart and Brad was no different. He was one of the kindest men I’ve ever met. He touched everyone’s life he met. Jane, my heart breaks for you and the kids. I will keep you all in my daily prayers. May his love live on eternally through all of you. Biggest hug in the virtual world.

Dear Jane and Family  Jane-   We are so sorry for your loss and are thinking about you all during this difficult time.  We loved getting to know Brad over the years and even more so at senior Spring Break in Mexico.....he always had a kind word and a big smile.  Our hearts break for your family.

All our hearts are heavy with the loss of Brad.
I hope all your memories sustain you thru this time 
He was such a wonderful man.
Scott  Marylynn Ross Brent and Lindsey

Gayle, Jane, and Grace, Abby, Emma and Nick,

My heart goes out to all of you.  I remember having parent/teacher conferences with Jane and Brad at Columbus Academy as I was one of Grace and Emma's teachers in the Lower School.  I can still picture Brad's contagious smile and it was clear that he had a deep love for and connection with his wife and kids.  Gayle, I remember sharing stories with you about Grace and Emma while we played golf together.

It's my wish that you feel loved and supported by all the people that Brad's life touched.

Jane- My sympathies to you and your family.  Thinking about you all during this difficult time. 

Dear Colleen and Jim and family, our hearts are broken for the loss of your brother and brother in law and uncle Brad. You have been and will continue to be held close in our prayers as you walk through the dark valley of this tragedy. May God give you deep comfort in your grief and sadness. Much love and many prayers, Mary and Bob Erhard

Dear friends and family of Brad. I knew him for many years
and always appreciated his concern for those less fortunate than himself. He was a true partner to the Advanced Wound Care Team at Drake center in Cincinnati. I will always appreciate his empathy and professionalism. Gone too soon. May he truly rest in peace. 

Jane and family
I am so very sorry for your tragic loss. Brad had a way of making everyone feel welcome and important. His smile seemed to light up a room and his love for all of you was so evident. I love you all and I will continue to hold you in my thoughts and prayers daily. May you feel an army of love during this difficult time. 
Jane Abell

Jane and family,  I am so sorry for your loss.   I will be praying for you all.   So many great Chi O  memories at UC with the Phi Delts  and he stands out as one of the nicest guys.  Sending you lots of love and hugs, Carrie Gainey Dunham 

Thoughts and Prayers sent out to the entire Yakam Family. I have so many memories of my great fraternity brother Brad (above are a few of the thousands) and his wonderful wife Jane….I will cherish them forever…

I’m so sorry for your loss, Jane.  I often think back to the many memories I have of you, Brad and your family, and remember the laughter, the joy and the beauty that your family was blessed with!! Brad’s sudden departure, truly brings tears to my eyes.  In knowing you, I can only hope that in time and with the power of prayer, that you will soon find peace, comfort, and strength in moving forward!!!  My thoughts and prayers are with  you, Grace, Abigail, Emma and Nicholas as you all walk into the world with Brad comforting you above.  Praying for strength and peace!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

There are no words to describe how deeply saddened and shocked to hear the news of Brad’s passing.  He was truly one-of-a-kind.  and his love for his family, friends, and pets was truly admirable.  

We will always remember his BIG warm smile,  his kindness, generosity, team spirit, and willingness to help others at a moments notice.  If anyone asked Brad for help, the answer was always yes. 

Please know the MacDonald family is here for all of you during this difficult time.  We send our deepest condolences and our hearts ache with yours.  May all of you find comfort in the many wonderful memories you shared.  You were his world, his everything,  and he will remain in your hearts always.   

With heartfelt sympathy, Marina, Mac and Sophia 

Part 2-2.  In recent years after leaving the medical field, Brad and I would typically see each other at very competitive girls lacrosse games between DeSales and Columbus Academy.  Both teams were typically state championship contenders.  It was always good to catch up personally, talk about both our businesses, and talk about the kids…..  

I still have a rough time understanding how the good ones leave us and hardened criminals stay in prison with our tax dollars for decades.  To pass suddenly at 54 in your prime is just unreal.  

Deepest sympathies to his whole family at this time.  I wish I could have said goodbye and Thanks especially for all he did for my family in hard times!

Godspeed Brad…. You will be missed by many!  RIP…..

Part 1-2. Here is what I posted about Brad the morning I heard the bad news……

This morning I got a text on a thread of high school friends that a friend of ours from school Brad had passed away early in the morning.  Not something you want to wake up to or ever get in any regard.  Still can’t believe it.  Brad was a great person, friend to many, business owner, father, husband and son.  Brad was a year younger than me so we never really hung out in the same age group or crowds.

But, in later years after college…. When I was in the medical equipment sales business Brad and I ended up customers and became more in contact and started our friendship.  For 16 years we were in close contact personally and from a business aspect.

One thing I will never forget about Brad was his kindness and compassion to help my dad when he was sick.  Brad sent equipment to my parents house to set my dad up with the best possible in home care imaginable.  My mom is eternally grateful for all he did for us.

Saying good-bye to my dear friend, Brad Yakam. I still cannot believe he passed away suddenly this past Easter Sunday.  His time with colleagues, friends, family, his wife Jane and their four children was cut way too short. 

I met Brad many decades ago as a freshman going through rush at UC as he pledged Phi Delta Theta. He was the tall kid with crazy wavy hair from Columbus who was always smiling. He became a great friend, a fellow brother in the bond, my roommate in the frat house, and I was blessed to have him as a groomsman at my wedding. 

We lost touch after college, but it does not surprise me to see all the incredible things that filled his life after he graduated UC. He had a dream and pursued it by starting American Medical Equipment with fellow brother Tushar Shaw. He then went on to marry his college love. I clearly remember the day he came back to the Phi Delt house and could not stop talking about this incredible girl he had met, Jane Popa. So happy to learn that he and Jane have three daughters and a wonderful son, and it does not surprise me that they were the center of his life.

Brad, you will be missed by many. I wish you peace and that your smile and joyful spirit will be remembered and start to fill a small part of the huge void that is left behind by your passing for Jane, your children, and your family. Rest and I will see you again someday my friend.

Dear Yakam Family
Words cannot express how sorry we are for the loss of Brad. He was taken way too soon. Brad was one of the nicest humans we have ever met. We know he loved all of you tremendously. He was a great father and husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Scott & Kerstin Friedman and the entire Friedman Family

The whole Ulbrich family is so sorry for your loss.  Brad was a kind and wonderful soul.   Jason and I enjoyed talking with him at all the sporting events for the kids.    Diana and Abe will remember all the things he did to help out with all the sporting events as well as how kind he was to both of them over the years.   Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family through this difficult time.  

Our hearts are broken hearing the sudden passing of Brad.  He was always smiling or cheering the kids on at their games!  I speak for my entire family when I say we are deeply saddened by Brad's death.  He was such a kind man with a heart of gold!  He will be greatly missed by each of us.  Sending you all our hugs and prayers during this time.

Jane and kids, we are heartbroken for you.  Wishing you all strength and peace.  Love, the Agrawal family.  

Jane, I’m so sorry for your loss. Hugs and love to you and your beautiful family - will be praying for you all 🙏 ❤️ 

I don’t know what to say. I loved Brad (my 7th-grade boyfriend!) and am sending hugs to Colleen and the rest of the family. He was such a good guy. Words are not adequate here. I’ll always remember him with a huge grin on his face. I’m so sorry for your loss. 

Brad was an all around great man! I am so sorry for the loss his family has to experience. I am sure he will want you to focus on the happy memories! 

Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Brad. I have beautiful memories of him with Jane during our days at UC. I will always remember him as a lovely human being with a great spirit and warming energy.

Jane, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. 

BIG Hugs,
Tim
Tim Gniedziejka



Our hearts are broken for Jane and the kids. Brad was such a devoted husband and father, and truly the nicest guy. Praying for peace and comfort in this unimaginable loss, and sending love and deep, deep sympathy.

Brad was a very good friend to me back in high school and early college, he was always willing to listen and be a positive support to me.  I have many fond memories of Brad back in our WHS days, too many to share here.  I will be praying and thinking of his family during these incredibly difficult days ahead.   There are no words that can bring comfort right now, but comfort each other as best as possible.

From the Bruce/Bell Family-- our sincere and deepest condolences.  We will be honored to make a contribution to Columbus Academy in Brad's memory!  

My heart breaks for Dave, Gayle, Jane and family. Words cannot express how sad we all are. Memories of our family get togethers will always be cherished. Love you,  you will be greatly missed. 

….deeply saddened to hear of Brad’s passing. I was lucky enough to call him a friend beginning in middle school and witnessed over the years his joy in being a true family man.  His endless positivity and good nature began with his parents, who opened their home repeatedly, amused by every silly idea conjured up by teenage boys.  Brad was a friend to all who engaged with him and naturally became successful because of his infectious personality.  

From the Mong Family to the Yakam family - Wishing You Peace To Bring Comfort, Courage To Face The Days Ahead, And Loving Memories To Forever Hold In Your Hearts.  

We are honored to make a contribution to Columbus Academy on behalf of Brad to fulfill his mission of tuition assistance. 


Dear Jane & family, We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Cherishing every memory we had the pleasure to make with Brad, Jane & the family over the years. Blessed for the fun  times we had more recently in Kiawah/Charleston. We love you all so dearly & are sending love from across the miles until we are with you soon. 

The world lost a good one. Such a smile and positive light. He was friendly to everyone and always so much fun to be around. Sending prayers to his family and friends for a little peace during this very difficult time. 

My family and I are very sorry for your loss.  Although we have not seen you in what seems like forever, I am reminded  about the forever bonds that we made at Phi Delta Theta and UC.  Our prayers are with you and your family.

We were totally shocked to hear of Brad passing so suddenly.  We watched Brad and Colleen grow up and both were involved in so many activities and grew to be amazing  people both in human beings and parents raising outstanding kids due to their great parents Dave and Gayle. Brad always had that friendly smile and soft spoken voice and you knew when you talked with him he listened and cared what you were saying. He will be greatly missed .  Our hearts and prayers are with all his family for their loss of a great man, father,  son and friend.
May you find peace in knowing how special Brad was to everyone who were lucky to know him.  

I am incredible sorry for your loss. I met Brad when he started AME and have always admired him and enjoyed working wit him throughout the years. I am in the seating industry and  am grateful to have known him. He has the kindest heart and I always looked forward to all my interactions with him.  He was brilliant with an amazing business mind, His company helped more people that I can put into words. I did not get to know his immediate family but knew how proud he was of them and how he would light up when speaking of him. I am sending strength and love to his family during this difficult time. 

Ugh. I was so sad to hear this. Happy to have had the chance to keep up with Brad a bit over the years and to spend some time with Jane. The Race family sends all the love and support we have to Jane, the kids, Gayle, Dave, and Colleen. You all were a second family growing up and I would like to stay in touch. It was always easy to be around Brad and his presence will be missed deeply by me. Please keep us up to date on any planned services as we will plan to come.

So sad to hear about the passing of Brad. I worked closely with Brad “back in the day” and have never met a nicer guy.
Carl Stenberg

So very very sorry to the entire Yakam family. He was such an incredibly nice person and the world is worse off today because of his departure. The Elliott family sends prayers and love to Jane, the kids and Brad's whole family. 

OBITUARY

Bradley David Yakam

September 9, 1969 – April 9, 2023

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