Stephen Anthony Bradley

Stephen Anthony Bradley passed away suddenly on Monday, October 4th at the age of 49. A Celebration of Life will be held in Stephen’s honor at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 16th, 2021, at the Ottawa University Fredrikson Chapel, 1001 S. Cedar Street, Ottawa, Kansas. Born on March 16, 1972, the son of Willie and Shelley (Bradley) Bell, he was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Always surrounded by family, Stephen’s childhood was filled with countless trips to the Bradley family farm in Macon, Missouri where he discovered from an early age his passion for music, food, and fellowship. He learned to play the violin, was active in choir, football, and ROTC, among other activities, before graduating from Southwest High School (KCMO) in 1990. Stephen continued his education at Ottawa University, where his eyes and his heart were opened to a different pace of living. His talents in musical arts further evolved through theater, chamber choir and the campus radio station, all of which created such lasting experiences and friendships that he deeply cherished. While his time at the university ultimately did not end with a degree, after several years of life experiences and living in various locations, Stephen returned to campus and graduated in 2009, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in Communication. In 2017 while obtaining his Master of Accounting and Financial Management degree from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management, he reconnected with a life-long friend, Rebecca Diane Brooks. The two first met in 1992 on the Ottawa University campus and crossed paths several different times throughout their adult lives, although this time was different. This time their souls connected, their hearts danced, and they quickly discovered a balance and love within one another that completed them. They eloped in an intimate and loving ceremony on November 20, 2020. A multifaceted maverick and Stephen-of-all-trades, there wasn’t anything or anywhere that he wasn’t willing to explore. Stephen currently was employed by The Ottawa Herald as a Advertising/Sales Executive and member of the City of Ottawa Planning and Zoning Commission, although he had years of experience in restaurant and retail management, finance and accounting, public education, and along-side his wife, was co-owner and managing partner of IMM, Inc. which specialized in catering and DJ services. Stephen never knew a stranger. His uncanny ability to connect with people from all faucets of life was one of the many attributes that will be forever missed. He is survived by the love of his life, Rebecca Bradley, and children: Charles Caffey and Allison Brooks, all of the home, Christian, Stephen, Kristina and Maia Bradley, of Lawrence, Kansas; parents, Willie and Shelley Bell of Raytown, Missouri; two siblings: Kevin Bradley of Kansas City, Missouri and Melina (Charles) Alford of Raytown, Missouri; father and mother-in-law, David and Kathryn Brooks of Ottawa, Kansas; and an endless number of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Stanley and Joyce Bradley and paternal grandparents, Andrew and Azalee Bell. The family suggests memorial contributions to Ottawa University Music Department c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas, 66067. “Breathe and Believe” – Stephen Anthony Bradley