Dale Bradley “Brad” Jones, 74 peacefully received his angel wings in the early morning hours October 22, 2024 after a long battle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease. At the time of his passing Brad was in the care of Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Brad was born to Donald and Shirley Jones September 27, 1950 at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, Wyoming. He graduated from Laramie Sr. High School in 1969, the University of Wyoming 1974 with an elementary education degree and was a 5th generation bricklayer.
Brad was a man’s man. He lived life to the fullest, worked hard and played harder. At eight years old he was water skiing on Lake Hattie. He was a trailer blazer for “Hot Dog” skiing, the precursor of today’s Free Style snow skiing. When hand gliders made their debut, Brad was on the front line learning to sail from steep hills and over water drawn by a speed boat. Then the very fast ice boat, an aluminum frame with a seat mounted on ice blades with a large sail, steered like a sail boat. They screamed across the rough ice on Lake Hattie. He competed in the Barstow to Vegas, the 150 mile desert motorcycle race, drawing 1,000 contestants on Thanksgiving weekends. He competed twice, completing Barstow to Vegas once. In tuff competitions a completion is a win. Scuba diving attracted his interest, diving in the Laramie plains lakes, the cold lakes of the Snowy Range and caves of the south eastern U.S. These experiences brought Brad to recover drowning victims in Lake Hattie and Lake Marie. Canoeing stretches of Rivers that most people will only raft was a walk in the park for Brad. Playing goalie with U.W. Rugby Club for many seasons was a source of pride. As an outdoorsman he backpacked the Wind River Range, Absaroka Range and anywhere that caught his fancy. Preparing to hunt Wyoming’s big game was always in the back of his mind, he hunted everything. Bagging a Boone and Crocket Wyoming Antelope and Bison was the cherry on top. He also brought home beautiful Canadian Barren Ground Caribou and a New Mexican Aoudad Sheep. In down time Brad would pull out a pack rod and fish the creeks between hunts.
Brad was a very accomplished bricklayer as well as a carpenter. Many, many Commercial and residential buildings in Laramie and across the county have been touched by his trowel or hammer.
Generosity was Brad’s middle name; he gave his time to help a friend or a stranger. He would help a hunter he didn’t know pack out an animal, give cash to a person in need, build a fence, dig a hole and let nieces and granddaughters style his hair and make him up, fake lashes and all.
He had a secrete love, his dogs. He loved them and they loved him. He would drive up to Happy Jack with Brandon and walk the dogs 5 miles before going to work. 12 to 14 hour work days were the norm.
Brad is survived by his wife of 31 years, Terri (Hull) Jones, sister Jody Kalinay (Rick), close cousins Don “Dog” Jones (Karen), Kevin Nelson (Tamera), Brandon Jones (Nina), Seth Hamburger (Claudia), step sons Miles Mickelson, Loren Mickelson, 2 granddaughters, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews as well as bricklayer and building trade brothers.
Cremation has taken place. Celebration of Life will be November 23, 2024 at the Albany Lodge, 1148 Highway 11, Albany, Wyoming from 1 pm to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Rocky Mountain Elks Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, a local Hospice Center or charity of your choice.
Brad showed me the power of connection and humor, and such a great belief in possibilities
Val Thank you for your comments. Brad loved you very much. Please give me a call. 307-760-7878
We just learned of Brad’s passing. Our family considered Brad a part of our family. We appreciated every minute of what he shared with us….from skiing in Winter Park to discovering ice sailing. We were also favored with his incredible skill and innovation as a carpenter and brick mason. “Brad stories “ arise in many conversations. We were blessed with his presence and will treasure many memories with laughter and tears. God bless. Vonnie, Brian, Eric, Valerie and Amy Wheeler
To All the Wheeler Family Thank you for your friendship over the years. You all held a special place in his heart. I would love to visit with any or all of you. Terri 307-760-7878
Vaya con Dios Brad. He was the Laramie FireBirds 1st goalie recruited by Bill Gustafson from the Buckhorn and a good man. My condolence 🙏...
Brad was a fantatic friend, had been many years since I saw him but remember him and his blue van!
Brad was a hard working Man that always shared his opinion and if you hired him to do brick, or other Mason work, it was done on time, he took Brandon under his wing and taught him a lot of things, may he rest in peace!
Terri, I just wanted you to know that I've been thinking about you, since I read Brad's obituary in the Boomerang. I didn't know Brad, but the obituary was such a beautiful tribute to someone who obviously loved life, family and friends to the fullest. I truly know how much you miss him. Lynn Benson
Farewell old friend may all your hunts be successful and your cooler always full of ice cold beer Tom and Linda Martin
So sorry Terri to hear about Brad….God Bless all of you. Love, Kagel Family
Terri and family. So sorry to hear about Brad's passing. He was certainly a part of many happy memories growing up. God rest his soul and God bless your family. Meg Davis Alley
Jody and family, Brad was a hell of a guy. I always enjoyed seeing him and getting his take on the situation back long ago when I lived in Laramie. The Jones family have a wonderful legacy of buildings throughout Laramie. My condolences.
Sorry to hear this but Brad is free roaming heaven with his parents and sister and my parents. Many blessings Joanna Weibel Akers
Jodie, Terri, and families, so sorry for your loss. You are in our hearts and prayers. Praying time and wonderful memories will heal your hearts. 💖
Teri I am so sorry to hear about Brad’s passing. He was part of the neighborhood. Please know we are thinking of you at this time. Becky Breazeale Bean.
Our thoughts and prayers to out to you and your family. We cherish the memories made between our families. Jay and Pam Benson
Teri and Family. Though I only knew Brad though his cousin Don C Jones, he was a special person and will be missed by many. My prayers and thoughts go out to you. Take Care.
Dear Terri, Jody and families, We are so sorry to read about Brad. There are years and years of great memories knowing Brad.....all the Back to School photos in from of Don and Shirley's home, going to Happy Jack skiing or going there in the summer for Shirley's blueberry pancakes. Please know how sincerely sorry we are. Brad was "good people" and an asset to the Laramie community. Rest in Peace Brad.
Terri ...our most sincere condolences on the passing of Brad. May the good times and memories you have of your 31 years of marriage be that which brings you peace.
Terri; My heart aches for you. There are no words to ease the pain of losing your soulmate. May God give you comfort and strength in the coming days. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Terri, upholding you and your family in prayers. Hugs and love.
Terri and family. Was so sorry to hear of Brad’s passing. I have many fond childhood memories of Brad from Beitel School through Laramie High. What a full and rewarding life he led. Blessings to you and your family.
Terri and family, so sorry for your loss. Brad was an incredible bricklayer and a great person. My deepest sympathies.
My condolences to Terri and her family.
Yes, the ice-boating, scuba under-ice, skiing, hunting, white-water (I think we were first 6-mile-gap open canoe success...) adventures.....no end to daring living with Brad. But my most profound respect and appreciation was working alongside him and the Donald R Jones brick crew for 7+ years.......I learned unmatched skill, dedication to quality beyond any norm, work ethic and full responsibility for said trade practices. So much so that I was able to do a large stone veneer job on my own upstate NY with a sense of pride all with the thought of sharing the result with Brad on my next visit to Laramie. You should know that he and I were the original founding team of UW's rugby club.....he was a fierce hockey club goalie......indeed rode that WR Huskavarna in Barstow/Veagas success.....and assisted me in a massive buying and drinking of 1974 Sutter Home legendary amador county zinfandel. All of our time together was so respectful, fun, productive and he always had that joy of genuinely sharing the very moment--all the time. I cannot imagine many people who shaaped me as much as Brad--in so many ways at very, formative eras of our lives Will never forget his humor, joy and attention to seemingly every waking moment. What a huge man in every respect....god speed, good friend.... Ralph "bear" Johnson
Our deepest condolences to Teri and family. I went to see my first ever concert with Brad and friends in Denver. ....it was the first stop for Led Zepplins American tour. Everytime I listen to them, Brad comes to mind.....it's just obe cherished memory of many I have of him. Blythe and Gary Engen.
Terri, Jodi and families - So very sorry about the loss of Brad. Thoughts and prayers to you all during this difficult time. Enjoy your memories that bring you joy. Tim Collins/Jill Collins
Terri and family. I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories sustain you in this time and ead day after.
I started working for Brad when I was 13 years old Through out the years of working alongside Brad, uncle don,the big seed and my dad I didn’t really get to sit around much Brad and I built Gary linfords house topping the last gable on Christmas (he called us Santa and his helper at fifty feet in the air on our scaffolding ) That man taught me more than most people can ever think about in books or on the job We would every day we could before hunting season because that was our vacation In brads fifty’s he rode snowmobiles with me and friends because he loved the fullest and no matter what always found me through the the thick and thin with accidents and trouble Without Brad and Terri jones i really don’t know where I’d be Thank heaven’s that Brad my hero is at peace
Terri, Jodie and family, Jeff and I are so sorry to hear of Brad’s passing. Jeff has many memories of projects they worked on. He was a special man and will be missed. Mary and Jeff Comin
Terri, Jodi & families, We were so sorry to see Brad had passed. What an extraordinary life he had! Keeping all who loved him in our thoughts and prayers.
Uncle Brad, aka Mr. Kidd, is present in some of my most treasured childhood memories. Like the other men in my life, he seemed larger than life and totally invincible- which makes his passing all the more heartbreaking. His laugh was like none other and was absolutely contagious. The love he brought to my family and the love we have for him and Terri can’t possibly be described in words. Terri, our hearts break with you but the love and light Brad brought to our lives will live forever.
Robert Dale Nelson Lots of good times were had with Brad over the years. He will be missed. Cousin Bobbie
If I am not mistaken, you are the one that introduced Brad to hang gliding in Jackson. How he loved that adventure.
I loved working, and roaming the mountains with Brad. Not a harder working man, whether at work or play, than Brad Jones. I’m glad that he is eased of his pain, and may he rest in peace. You will be missed my friend.
Terri and family. Brad is at peace. Gary and I have you in our thoughts.
We am truly so very sorry. May he rest peacefully and may you find comfort in treasured memories of him..
Terri ,we are so sorry to hear about Brad. You are in our thoughts.
Terri and Brad's family, he is at peace. Our thoughts are with you.
Terri and family, So very sorry to read this. Thinking of you and wishing you peace.
Terri and family Sorry to hear about Brad. My thoughts are with you. Brad was a good friend! Brad and I rode motorcycles together and went to Barstow to Vegas in 1973 and as I recall he had a cast on a broken arm! Tough as nails! My condolences. E.J. McDonald