Jack D. Bradrick

Jack D. Bradrick was born on November 22, 1932, in Formoso, Kansas, and was called home to be with the Lord on February 2, 2008, in Salina, Kansas. He was 75 years old.

Jack was born to Carl Birdsell Bradrick and O’Dessa Willella (Dunn) Bradrick on a farm near Formoso, Kansas. He attended Formoso Grade School through the 6th grade when his family moved to Mankato in 1944. While in school, Jack excelled in all sports. He graduated from Mankato High School in 1951. After graduation he and several classmates enlisted in the armed forces, serving in the Navy for four years on the U.S.S. Everett during the Korean Conflict, and in 1955 he was honorable discharged.

Jack married his high school sweetheart, Joyce McElroy, on June 24, 1955. That fall he began classes at Kansas State University and graduated in 1960 with a B.S. in Education. Jack’s first teaching job was in Lovewell, Kansas, where he was head coach of their 6-man football team. In 1961, he was hired by the Burr Oak, Kansas schools as the 7th and 8th grade math and science teacher and as their coach.

In 1965, Jack accepted a job in Mankato working for Charlie Ramey at the new R-K Shopper, where he managed the sporting goods department. He certainly was a “jack-of-all-trades”, even selling life insurance and working at the new Dubuque Packing Company for a time.

In 1969, Jack’s good friend, Wesley Moore, paid to have Jack’s name put on the ballot for the position of Jewell County Probate Judge. To his surprise he won the election! In 1977, Jack became a District Magistrate Judge, serving Jewell County faithfully for thirty years, retiring in 1999.

In March of 1992, Jack lost his wife Joyce, of 37 years, to cancer. Later that year he was blessed to find the second love of his life, Susan Benson. They were married on December 18, 1992, and spent the next sixteen years golfing, traveling, and spending winters in their home in Weslaco, Texas. Jack and Susan continued to be very involved in the Mankato Country Club and also as volunteers for the Ute Theatre. In the fall of 2007, he and Susan were named Parade Marshalls of Mankato’s Fall Festival.

Jack had many hobbies, talents and interests. His passion was golfing and he was proud of the fact he had three witnessed hole-in-ones at the Mankato Country Club. Jack had artistic talents he used in re-working old saddles and mending leather for the area cowboys. His hand-tooled leather belts were always in demand. He used his storytelling abilities to write poetry about his favorite topics: golf and cowboying. He published, as he wrote poems u until he came back from Texas on January 1, 2008. Jack had an immeasurable love for his family.

He especially loved spending time with the grandkids, nephews, and nieces; “pounding’ on leather in his leather shop; or just sitting around the family’s large round oak table telling stories. Jack had the gift to make those stories seem larger than life to all who sere listening.

Jack was blessed with a large family and many friends, but even more so, they were blessed with Jack. He always saw his glass as half-full. Jack’s contagious love for living will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Jack is survived by wife, Susan; daughters, Lynette Balch, and husband Greg of Woodward, Oklahoma, Leslie Sanders, and husband Hershel of Salina, Kansas; son, Todd, and wife Gaye of Assaria, Kansas; step-son, Shane Ross and Marie of El Dorado, Kansas; and step-daughter, Tisha Templin, and husband, Brad of Hebron, Nebraska. Ten grandchildren, Garrett, Ryan, Sutton, Hayden, Zachary, Danielle, James, Cortney, Riley, and Luke; three step-grandchildren, Teddy, Cory, Shawn Sanders; and three step-great-grandchildren, Aribey, Alivia, and Ella Sanders; sister, Betty Hamilton and husband Marvin; brother, Robert both of Salina, Kansas; and many other family members and close friends whom he loved as well.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce; brother, Donald; and sister, Joyce.

A celebration of life service for Jack D. Bradrick were held a 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at the Harmony United Methodist Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Reverend Glenn Davis officiating. Pallbearers were: Garrett Balch, Ryan Balch, Hayden Sanders, Zachary Bradrick, James Michael Ross, and Jimmy Don Hamilton. Honorary Casket Bearers were Bradley Hamilton, Jim File, Jerry File, Ron Smith, Rick Smith, Jack L. Bradrick, and Mark Bradrick. Music was provided by Lyle Dauner, pianist, and Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle, vocalist. Interment followed in Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato. Military Honors were presented by the United States Navy Honor Guard, and V.F.W. Post No. 7830, Mankato, Kansas. Memorial may be made to the Ute Theatre or the Mankato Country Club. Condolences may be sent to www.melbymortuary.com.+