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.