Lt. Bradford Turner Clark (43) of Hanover County, Virginia left this earth on October 11, 2018. He died doing what he loved, while heroically saving the lives of others responding to an emergency call on Interstate 295. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” –John 15:13. Brad is survived by the love of his life, his “Buttercup,” Melanie and four daughters Brady, Lilly, Olivia and Madison. His loving parents are Bob and Patsy Clark and Beth and Oscar Giles; siblings Jonathan Clark (Rachel), David Giles (Amber), Christie Poats (Wyatt); nieces and nephews, Landry, Ellis, Zach, Peyton, Tripp, Henley, Campbell and Carrison. Brad has many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins as well as Brothers and Sisters of not only Hanover County Fire & EMS but all over this great country he loved and worked to make a safer place. He is preceded in death by Grandparents Thomas A. and Lois Clark, Dorothy and Dave Turner, Wesley and Ann Williams and Oscar B. Giles, Sr. and Harriet Mae Giles, as well as his Aunt Pamela Carr Turner.
Born and raised in Hanover County, Brad attended Atlee High School, Class of 1993. Shortly after graduation he joined the United States Army where he was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma from 1995-2000. It was then he met Frank T. McClain and the two quickly became inseparable and remained brothers in so many ways until his death.
Brad joined Hanover County Fire & EMS on July 16, 2005 and was promoted to Fire Lieutenant on July 16, 2015. Brad’s strongest passion outside of his devotion to family was educating firefighters. One of his proudest assignments was his role as lead instructor of Hanover Fire Academy 33 where he led a group of 28 recruits. At the time of his passing he was the Lieutenant at Station 6 in Hanover County where he was the officer for a crew of five firefighters. Continuing his passion for teaching, Brad was an instructor at the Walter Sisk Memorial Truck School, Andy Fredericks Training Days and with The 350’ Line as well as other training conferences around the country.
Brad’s fierce devotion and unquestionable commitment and love to his wife and children was made known by him to his friends constantly. He was always quick to remind his extended family of brothers and sisters how much he cared about them and would be there to help anyone he knew in their times of need. Brad rarely met anyone that he would not have laughing within a short time with his trademark sense of humor and quick jokes. Brad shared his passion in many ways and honored those who had fallen in the Line of Duty as an Honor Guard member at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, MD.
Visitation will be held on Monday 10/15/18 and Tuesday 10/16/18 from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm both days at Woody Funeral Home – Parham located at 1771 North Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229.
Memorial Service to be held Wednesday 10/17/18 at 2pm at the Farm Bureau – Meadow Event Park located at 13191 Dawn Boulevard, Doswell, VA 22546. Reception to follow on site.
Financial donations to the family can be made to the Hanover CREW Foundation at www.hanovercrewfoundation.org by clicking the “Donate” tab.
Online condolences may be made at www.woodyparham.com
