Funeral services for Mark F. Bradford, 58, Lawrence, will be 1 pm, Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at the Lied Center in Lawrence.
He died Thursday, July 26, 2018.
Mark was born in Kansas City, MO, on August 16, 1959, the son of James Robert and Shirley Ann Manlove Bradford.
He graduated from Lee’s Summit High School. Mark later went to the Metropolitan Community College of Kansas City, MO, and graduated with an Associate Degree in Fire Science, 1986. He earned his Bachelor of Science/Business Administration from Sterling College, Sterling KS, in 1994. In 2008 he received his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS.
Mark began his service with the Lee’s Summit Fire Department in 1977, leaving in 2000 at the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. Before going to Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical he flew on the Life Flight Eagle, serving as a paramedic until 2007 and was EMS Program Manager for the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Mark was the Deputy Fire Chief for Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical department from 2001 to 2005. He was later promoted to Fire Chief from 2005 to present date. During his career he worked with the Mayor, City Commission and City managers on many projects to achieve an efficient and reliable fire and medical department. During his tenure here the ISO rating went from 2 to 1, the result of which made lower insurance rates for the residents of Lawrence.
He married Patricia Casey on April 18, 1992, in Lee’s Summit, MO, she survives of the home.
Other survivors include son, Zachary Bradford, brother, Doug Bradford and spouse Robin Heck, many brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews, and extended family.
Mark is preceded in death by his mother Shirley Ann Manlove Bradford, his father James Robert Bradford, mother and father in law Burna Deane and Robert Thomas Casey.
A visitation will take place from 6-8 pm Monday, July 30, 2018, at Lawrence Free Methodist Church, 3001 Lawrence Ave. Lawrence, KS 66047.
Memorial contributions may be made to Safe KC Foundation for fallen first responders, American Cancer Society or American Heart Association, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Mark made a difference…rest in peace my fire service brother…
DMatthew
I always looked forward to visiting with Mark at Missouri Valley Fire Chiefs meetings. Knowledgeable and caring are two verbs I would associate with my friend. Chief Bradford will be missed….
I had the pleasure of getting to know Mark after Chad Sublet and I developed the Disaster Mental Health Team for Douglas County Emergency Management. I had the painful and rewarding experience of working with him at the tragic Glover family house fire, and the joy of working with him as part of the Douglas County team who went together for training in Emmitsburg, MD. There, one of our exercises was based on the scenario of a huge amount of snow fall during the winter holidays; such heavy snow that some commercial building roofs collapsed. During this exercise when Mark was speaking to “media” about what community members should do, one of his recommendations… head out and gather holiday gifts from those collapsed buildings. Mark knew we all needed a break from the intensity of that week of training, and he provided it.
I have much respect for Mark, and I appreciate knowing him. I am very sorry for the pain of loss for his closest family and friends, and I hope they also stay connected to the love and memories of life with this very special person whose life ended much sooner than expected.
Tricia and ZacK, Christy and I pray for your peace and comfort during this time. I appreciated working with Mark on the State Chief’s Board.
My deepest heartfelt sympathies to all those who know and love Mark.
I met Mark when I hired on in the front office of LSFD in 1990. He was the one who ALWAYS treated me kindly. He was so much fun outside of work too!!
Rest easy Mark.
Zach & Trish – I doubt you will remember – but we first met you through Scouts – just about the time you were aging out my boys were getting started. Although our time together was brief your family left an impression – over the years every time we would run into Mark he would offer a warm welcome and inquiries about how the boys were doing. Your dad will be missed by many – we know there are really no words we can offer to adequately express how we feel or take away the pain. Hopefully some day soon you will find peace – until then use the thoughts and prayers from the community to carry you forward.
Mark’s professionalism was balanced gracefully by is guileless wit and kind heart. It was a pleasure working with him.
Trish and Zach,
Our hearts are heavy with your loss. We hope that you find comfort in your memories of Mark. He will be missed.
As a fellow Fire Chief and a longtime member of the Missouri Valley Fire Chief’s Association, Mark will be deeply missed as his continued interest, input and dedication was a huge asset to the organization successes. Mark took the reigns of Fire Chief for Lawrence Fire & Medical from a Chief that had built a solid department to meet the then community needs. Mark took applied his leadership/management skills to the department and has built it to be known as a world class organization that is meeting the needs of a rapidly expanding community and its needs. In all my interactions with Mark what a clear example of a outstanding mentor and leader. Rest in Peace Mark as you have certainly earned it.
Enjoyed many shifts side by side firefighting and running ems calls with Mark. He had an unmatched sense of duty. He enjoyed his off time also and drove that white convertible Le Baron like he was leading a parade. Trish my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Zach, I last met, when he was a Mo. Tiger fan. We are consistently challenged by changing times. Miss you Mark, Never Forget
I loved flying with Mark. He was a great partner. He was also a mentor, a good friend and a valued colleague. His sense of humor brought a welcome relief to stressful times. I miss you, Mark. Peace be with you and your family.
Our deepest condolences to Chief Bradford’s family, friends and public safety family. From your friends at HCA Midwest Health, Overland Park Regional Medical Center and Menorah Medical Center.
Mark’s skills as a medic, his quick wit and dry sense of humor made him a favorite at LifeFlight Eagle. The stories and the laughter live on. Rest in peace Mark.
I had the privilege of knowing Mark in several different ways. First as a boss when I joined LSFD in 1988. He was a great leader and mentor of those under his command. We became friends and for years I was proud to call him one of my best friends. He served as Best Man at my wedding to Elsa and hosted our reception at his home in Lee’s Summit. Mark was the man who would do anything for anybody. His passing has left a huge whole in the hearts of the many people who ran in our social circle back in the day. Mark, may you rest in peace. To Trish and Zack our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your families.
I knew Mark and his family growing up in Lee’s Summit, MO. He was a kind, caring, good hearted guy his whole life! I will miss you, Mark. God be with you Doug and the whole family! My prayers are with you.
Mark was a good friend that I watched grow through virtually all the ranks in the FD until finally topping out as a premier leader in the fire service. He was a highly dedicated and smart person. Over the years I worked with Mark on many fire and ems calls. You could always depend on him to do the right thing. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. He’s arrived on scene in heaven now.
Martin Magers. (Retired captain LSFD)
Zach and Trish, I am so so sorry. I’m holding you in my heart…❤️
We are very sorry for your lost. He did many great things for the community through his profession and other aspects of the community. The family is in our thoughts.
I will dearly miss my friend and colleague Mark Bradford. He and I worked closely on a number of things. He could always be counted on lend perspective or help out in any situation. He is known for being 15, maybe 20 minutes early to any meeting (15 minutes is on time, Diane, he once told me) and I regularly cherished that time to catch up with him or get a quick laugh in. Our staff team has a big hole now but we will support one another. My deep condolences to Trish and Zach and all of Mark’s family. We are here for you.
I’m so sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. I had the pleasure of serving on the school board with Mark. He was a passionate advocate for public schools and students, but also a great deal of fun to be around. Lawrence is lucky to have had Mark as a part of our community. He will be missed.
Chief Bradford was a consummate professional who always exhibited integrity, honor and service. He was a true leader within the International Association of Fire Chiefs and he will be sorely missed.
I had the pleasure of working with Mark during the State Wide Mutual Aid endeavor. Also, Mark sent an entire crew to Coffeyville in 2007 after an historic flood. This was instrumental in allowing on-duty firefighters to stand-down after working 72 hours without relief. I admired his professionalism and his willingness to help others. My deepest condolences to the family of Chief Bradford.
I have had the pleasure of working with Chief Bradford on Apparatus for years and being a good friend is an extraordinary perk. God speed Mark, you will be missed. Prayers to your personal and work families as they work through your absence.
City Hall was a happier, more thoughtful, and above all funnier place when Mark was in the building. He fought like hell for the things he believed in but was also willing to listen to multiple perspectives. That’s what made him a great Chief and school board member. That and his one of a kind charm, of course! So many great memories of Mark as we tackled development issues at the city together. We all cared so deeply for Mark because we knew he cared about us. We miss you, Mark. I miss you, Mark. Thoughts and prayers to your family who I know carry the best memories of all.
I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your dad Zach. Prayers for you and your family.?
Mark was a Fire Chiefs Fire Chief. I was proud to be associated with him during my career. He will be missed. Rest easy Mark.
We express our condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Chief Mark Bradford.
I had the privilege of calling Mark my boss and my friend. He had a big impact on my career and on my life. May God watch over your family. You will be missed.
I had the privilege of working with Mark during his Explorer years and his first year with LSFD. It was obvious that Mark had a great career ahead of him. I am shocked by his passing. George Melling, former Deputy Chief LSFD.
We will have you all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. So sorry for your loss.
Zach, so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I know he must have been very proud of the man you have become. Our thoughts are with you and your family .
Praying for you and your family during this most difficult time of life.
Sorry to hear about ur loss mark was a wonderful person he touched many lives he was compassionate and caring