Johnathan Bradley

Baby Johnathan was a living miracle. He came into the world through an emergency C-section and at the tender age of four months was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He survived the surgery to remove a testicle and had to endure week-long chemotherapy treatments once a month for four months of his little life. Somehow this dark, curly-haired little angel smiled through it all and gave his family and friends the greatest gift: his life.

Johnathan Patrick Bradley was born on August 28th, 1990 to Pat and Cory Bradley of Parchment, Michigan. His two sisters were quite a bit older than he, Elizabeth by 9 years and Jessica by 12 years. However, little John was welcomed with love from mom, dad, his sisters, grandma, grandpa, friends and lots of extended family. His dark curly hair made his sisters jealous and the fact that he laughed and smiled, even through chemotherapy, melted the hearts of all that loved him.

In 1990, the year of his birth, Operation Desert Shield began in the Persian Gulf. Nelson Mandela was released from a South African prison after serving 27 years for his opposition to apartheid; and the space shuttle, Discovery, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. But, George---as his mom called him after George of the Jungle—was your typical MTV-video-game-skateboarding young boy of the 90’s. John was an adorable young boy who loved to traipse around with his wagon and collect junk. He could see the potential in anything and his creative mind loved to find things he could use to build a Go-Cart.

When he started school in 1995, he attended Indian Lake Elementary. Like a lot of creative and intelligent people, he struggled with ADHD, which made school a bit of a challenge. He made no bones about it, to him school was boring and a waste of time. He may not have achieved the highest grades, but could always ace his tests.

John exhibited a very curious nature. He loved to take things apart; however, he was not always so big on getting them back together! He collected many pocket knives and lighters.

In many ways, John was definitely not your typical 8th grade boy. Unlike his peers, he showered his mom with affection, often hugging her and telling her that he loved her in front of his friends. His family says that he “walked to the beat of a different drummer”, or maybe moved his slide on the Trombone to a different rhythm. He played in the school band.

Although he was unique, a crazy, fun-loving and happy-go-lucky guy, he was also bore the mark of a typical teenager. Pizza, video games, sleeping late, loud music and skateboarding were just some of his favorite things. But John also loved sports and found joy in some of the more peaceful activities. He loved to fish—getting his first pole at only three! He enjoyed spending alone time with his dad on the lake. He also loved to golf and often teed off with his stepfather Bob. His step dad saw that John was a natural at the game.

Although John liked the quieter sports, by no means did he avoid the more outgoing and adventurous activities. His life was a blur of motion: football, basketball, skateboarding and little league. He was even taking up guitar recently after he received one for his 13th birthday.

There was always a special something twinkling inside of John. He had a very mature nature and enjoyed time with his much older sisters at Cedar Point, camping and the mall. He had a funny bone that tickled everybody. He could do impressions of South Park, Mad TV, Mr. Bean, and the Three Stooges. He loved to make people laugh with his quick wit and got a kick out of beating his parents in video games. He had quite the advantage because his parents didn’t even know how to work the controller! His favorite games were Tony Hawk and Grand Theft Auto.

John also loved to watch Nickelodeon, Discovery Channel and Sponge Bob Square Pants. His favorite meal was a pizza from Hungry Howies and a tall, cold glass of chocolate milk.

Everyone that knew John would say that his skateboards were definitely his most prized possession. However, this outgoing and carefree young man had a deeper nature and loved his mother, father, step parents, sisters, grandma, grandpa, nephew and friends more than any item he owned. There was something unique about this confident and carefree young man. He packed a lifetime of learning, loving and living into only 13 years. He squeezed more juice out of life than most people who live 80 years.

It has been said that nothing weeps like the sad tenor notes of the Trombone. Its pitch isn’t a common major key; it is played in a minor, more off-beat key. The Trombone is laid back, smooth and refuses to play a melody or a baseline. The Trombone fills in the cracks, holds the music like glue and has its own quirky way of doing it.

Jonathan Patrick Bradley passed away suddenly on Thursday, September 25, 2003. He is survived by his mother Pat and step-father Bob Garcia of Vicksburg, his father and his life partner Cory Bradley and Robert Pillars of Kalamazoo. He is also survived by his two sisters, Jessica Bradley and her boyfriend James Vergauwen and Elizabeth Bradley, a stepbrother and a stepsister Robert and Amanda Garcia and Amanda’s boyfriend Scott Martin, a nephew Eric Vergauwen, and his grandfather Herbert Hunt of Cooper Township. His Grandma Hunt preceded him in death in 2001. He will also be missed by numerous other friends and relatives. His family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. and on Monday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall and Gren Funeral Home, Vicksburg Chapel where his Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. To read John’s life story, share a memory, make a donation to the Bronson Pediatrics Oncology/Hematology Clinic or to order flowers, please visit his personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com.

There is a saying, don’t die with the music still inside of you. Jonathan blew every note, lived every day, loved every person, laughed heartily and enjoyed his life. His life is his music. It played loud and clear. From the time he was just a baby struggling to live, to the day he left his family and friends so tragically, he gave a gift.

The gift is the song of his life. In quiet moments, inside your heart, you will hear the music play—for today it plays in a heavenly band that uplifts the spirit of all mankind.