Randall Dee Bradfield's Obituary
Randall Dee Bradfield
Randall Dee Bradfield, our loving husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa and friend was born, October 23, 1932 in Nephi, Utah to Randall A. Bradfield and Mary Erva (Pay) Bradfield. He passed away January 3, 2018 in at home in Sandy, Utah, surrounded by his loving wife and family. Dee married his sweetheart, Shirley Williams of Juab, Utah on September 10, 1954 in the Manti LDS Temple.
Dee (known as “Brad” at Kennecott) was raised as a country boy in the deserts of Leamington, Utah. He was a proud Delta High School graduate, Class of 1951. Because of a horrible leg injury as a child, Dee was told he would never walk without using a crutch. Through his faith, perseverance and shear stubbornness, Dee went on to letter in football, wrestling, baseball and loved to box on the side. He earned a four-year scholarship in Industrial Arts, but never used it. Instead he chose to earn a bachelor’s degree in rabbit hunting, a master’s degree in a combined composite of big game and fishing, as well as a PhD in hauling railroad ties. He believed in action and working. Although proud of his children and grandchildren for their many formal degrees, he was, and is, more proud and impressed with their work ethic, honesty and integrity, as opposed to what he considered to be worldly frivolous titles. His children will always remember and are thankful for this valuable lesson taught.
Dee never lost his love for creating, designing, and working on new projects such as; homes, fences made of stones, yards, cabins, upholstery, leather work, and a multitude of other works that adorn the homes of family and friends. He met his future wife, Shirley, while roller-skating in Nephi, Utah. And as fate would have it, Shirley’s father, as well as his own father, were both railroad employees, and thus the dye was cast.
After marriage, he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for about one year before taking the leap of faith and taking a job at Kennecott Copper Mine in the railroad department. Within three years he was a gang foreman, and ultimately the supervisor over the entire track at Kennecott. He loved the people he worked with, the mine, and the track. To him, creating a railroad was an art.
He survived osteomyelitis as a young boy, and became one of the first two civilians in Utah to receive penicillin. Since then, like an old Timex watch, “he took a lickin, but kept on tickin’,” especially, the last 15 years. He had leukemia, heart attacks, broken femur/hip, strokes, and finally he just decided to rest.
He loved his wife of 63 years, his family, his children, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, and they loved him. He was a great teacher, a wonderful example and had a multitude of friends. To earn his respect a person had to be honest and know how to work. Dad also loved working in the temple, his welfare missions, talking to people, and the highlight of his year was always Christmas. He loved making gifts for his family, and giving even more gifts away for children that were without. He also loved traveling with his friends and family. The more people that could cram in the truck, camper, motorhome, boat or car the better! Dad’s idea of a good day was getting up at 5:00 a.m., working as a family until 10:00 a.m., going fishing until dark, driving home, and doing the same thing the next day.
As a family we worked hard together and had a lot of fun. Because of Dad’s personality, he made it easier to find the energy to meet his expectations and incredible personal drive. Once in awhile, dad would actually relax, eat a bowl of popcorn, drink a Coke, and watch an old western movie that emphasized honesty, hard work, integrity, and valor. In actuality, Dad was just watching a personal documentary. We are honored and grateful to have such an example in our life. There are no words to describe the magnitude of the service, example, and love he showed towards all of his family and friends. We love you!
Dee is survived by his loving wife, Shirley; children; Randy (Mariann), Darwin (Jeanette), and Sheradee (the most wonderful daughter, aunt and sister we could ask for); grandchildren: Nathan (Jessica), Landon (Tiffany), Jess (Rose), Ken (almost engaged, but not quite), Tate (Alaina), Rose (can’t legally marry, since she is only 14), Danielle Jensen (Collin), Haylee Roush(Blake), Tala Brown (Quinton) and Josiah (Gabrielle); and great-grandchildren: Maya, Zoey, Olivia and Andilynn Bradfield, Lilly and William Bradfield, Anneliese, Annamarie and Alida Bradfield, Lanaiah Bradfield, Kyler, Alexis, Ashton Oveson, and Rylie and Ellie Jensen, Jaxen, Tyson and Derek Roush, and of course Van.
Viewings will be held Sunday, January 7th, 5:30 – 7:30 PM and Monday, January 8 from 9:30-10:30 AM with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM, all held at the LDS Chapel, 9331 South 300 East, Sandy, UT. Grave dedication will take place in Nephi, UT.
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