Bradley Joseph Smith
April 11, 1963 ~ July 15, 2014
Bradley Joseph Smith, 51, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of La Junta, Colorado, died on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Christopher Podhajsky. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. on Monday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 6:30 p.m. Inurnment: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include his wife, Kelly Smith; daughter, Hannah Smith, both of La Junta, Colorado; mother, Ginny Smith; siblings, Kim Smith, Chris (Kimberly) Smith, Jan (Ron) Pfeiffer, Julie (Juan) Alvarez, and Steve Smith, all of Cedar Rapids; nieces and nephews, Olivia Alvarez, April Smith, Michaela Smith, Celine Alvarez, Peyton Smith, Lauren Pfeiffer, Grayson Smith, and Caroline Smith. Brad was born April 11, 1963, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Alfred and Virginia (Dunn) Smith. He graduated from Regis High School in 1981, and then from Regis University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1994 and Master of Arts in 2004. Brad was a lifelong counselor and educator, working most recently as Associate Vice President for Student Services with Otero Junior College in La Junta, Colorado. He moved back to his hometown of Cedar Rapids in January to be closer to his mother and siblings. Brad will be remembered for his big heart and desire to help people. He touched many lives with his dazzling personality and ability to make friends with everyone. Brad was a natural athlete who especially enjoyed playing tennis. He also had a passion for theatre, appearing in many productions throughout the years. His family and friends will greatly miss him. He was preceded in death by his father, Al. Memorials for Brad can be made to the family.
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Brad was a good friend for many years. You won’t find many people who are more loyal or dedicated.
Brad was my tennis coach while I was in high school, and later, a colleague during his college admissions representative days. He always greeted me with the best smile and a heart-felt hug; I always felt his genuine appreciation for our brief visits. I attribute my life long love of the game of tennis to Brad, and I always admired his enthusiasm for his profession. I am a better person for knowing him! My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time…heaven has gained a beautiful soul.
Dear Smith Family,
I was shocked to hear of Brads passing. I have fond memories of our days at McKinley and Wash. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Randy Keel
Sorry to hear about Brad’s passing. Too young.
To Ginny, Steve, Julie and the entire Smith family —
My sincere condolences on the passing of Brad. What shocking news. I was so sad to learn of this. Will remember him and Al in my prayers. Forever.
Ginny and family –
My heart breaks for you. Praying that God holds you in the palm of His hand and brings you comfort during this sad, sad time.
I am feeling heartbroken for you all. Holding you close in my thoughts and prayers.
Our prayers and sympathy go out to your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. I(Maxine) worked with Brad at OJC. He always had a smile and a good word for everyone. Considered a good friend. He was involved in many activities in the community and OJC.
Steve and family,
I’m sorry for your loss. I remember Brad well at McKinley and then in high school. He was such a great athlete and a good guy. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. God bless!
Dear Smith Family,
We are so sorry for your loss and send our prayers for all of you. Phil coached tennis with Brad in La Junta and they had great times together. We remember when he stepped up and ran the entire girls tennis program when Phil lost his mother and was away for over two weeks. What a guy! The Pueblo coaches got a kick out of both Brad and Phil when they arrived for matches, always wondering what time the mall opened. Nancy worked with Brad at Liberty Elementary in Rocky Ford and remembers his compassion for the students with whom he worked and his upbeat and positive attitude, not to mention his rich sense of humor. He will be missed by all.
Dear Smith Family,
My sincere condolences to your entire family. I am saddened to hear of his passing. Brad was my tennis coach in high school, and I spent many a nights playing against him at practice. He was always so uplifting and fun! There were many nights I would be at the courts practicing my serve or whatever, and he would see me as he was driving by and stop and we would play a match or two or three (!) just for fun! He always seemed to have his tennis gear somewhere in his car & was ready to play! That continued even after I graduated and attended college. I would come back to La Junta to visit, and go practice at the courts and if he saw me, he would always stop and say “hi”, and we would end up playing! Good memories, good times, great guy! I would run into him here and there when I would visit my parents in LJ and we would reminisce about things. I will miss seeing him around and joking with him about his “perfect, not a hair out of place hair”! Wow, so shocking. Please know that he made an impact on my life-not only in tennis, but also as a happy, jovial, outgoing, funny, smart, guy. He will be missed. Prayers for your whole family.
I am so saddened that Brad’s journey on earth has ended so soon. I worked at the La Junta High School and knew Brad well. What a friendly, kind and compassionate person he was. My condolences to his family.
Brad will be greatly missed! He was the best advisor I had at Otero Junior College.
Brad bro when we heard the news it broke our hearts. You are still a very good friend and will always be in our hearts. You helped us more than you could imagine with school. We are better for having got to know you. May you rest in peace.
To the Smith family, So sorry to hear about the loss of Brad. Your in our thoughts.Beth and family
Brad,
Remember the humble man who with gratitude gave you a pair of socks for Christmas? Whatever you did for the least of least of these among us, you did for Him. I know your reward is at hand.
Love,
Betty
Our family is so sorry to hear about Brad. Brad would come to the school to see Hannah, I loved to visit Brad always had a smile and just a great person to visit. Always willing to help my kids went when they went to OJC. He will be missed
Brad was my student advisor at OJC, always a friendly guy who was well liked by everyone. So very saddened by this news. You were an awesome man who constantly pushed me to bring out the best in myself. Thank you for that.
Dear Smith family,
My heart goes out to all of your family at the tragic death of Brad.
I knew Brad for only a short time but I am left with the memory of a cheerful, giving person who was very special to my family during the short time we knew him.
He was at our home for dinner a couple of times during family gatherings and he visited my Mom with Suzie and my son, Chris on Mom’s 102nd birthday.
He always came carrying flowers and a big smile.
My heart was broken when I heard the news of his passing. Prayers go out for your whole family.
Nancy Prall, Suzie’s Mother
So sorry to hear this news. We pray for family healing and remembering Brad with smiles and love.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers to the family at your time of loss.
Happy Birthday.