Bradley Lindsey

Brad Lindsey was a man who used his hard work ethic to start his own trucking business. He was a true outdoorsman who loved fishing, camping and riding horses. He was also a funny, humorous, practical joker, who loved his wife, children and precious grandchildren more than anything. He was a man who was full of life.

Born in 1962 in Angola, Indiana to Marvin and Carol Lindsey, Brad was a middle child in the family. Marvin and Carol worked hard to raise Brad along with his siblings. The time in which Brad was growing up in was a turbulent time in America. Old ways and traditions were being replaced by radical changes and new ways of doing things. Brad was growing up in Bronson, Michigan, attending school and playing with his friends. When Brad was still young, Marvin and Carol divorced.

Though divorced, Brad stayed close to his father and step-mother, Barb. Marvin, a truck driver, instilled in him his strong work ethic, and a passion for the trucking industry.

Carol also remarried Brad's step-father, Al Kirkum. Al became a wonderful mentor to Brad, teaching him the secrets of fishing, hunting and playing sports .Brad knew right away there was something special about Al. He and Al shared the same birthday and they were both left-handed!

Brad grew up in the country, fostering in him a lifelong love of the outdoors. He was involved in 4-H and competed with his horse, Rowdy in many area horse shows. The family even took their horses with them when they went on camping trips. Brad and his siblings all worked in their youth for George Mayer, a local gladiola farmer. They all saved their money for their first cars; Brad's being a 1971 SS Chevelle.

After graduating, Brad became a father. He married Trena Mosher, and they welcomed a daughter, Lorinda into their lives. Twelve months later they had a son, Dustin. Brad found employment at Midwest Foundry in Coldwater. Most of Brad's family worked there also. His strong work ethic continued to show as he took on a second job to support his young family. Sadly, the young couple divorced.

Later, Brad went to work as a truck driver for his brother John, who had trucks leased to CFI. He became a dispatcher there, and then went to Graff Trucking in Kalamazoo for the next ten years as a dispatcher. It was at Graff Trucking that Brad eagerly learned everything he could about the trucking industry. There was an added bonus when Brad met the owner's pretty daughter, Becky Moise after she started working at the trucking company. It was love at first sight for the two young people and later Becky would say with a smile, “ I fell in love with Brad because he always made me laugh!” The two felt they had found their soul mate and on July 7, 1994 they were married. Through this relationship, Brad gained another son, Tommy Perkins.

It was in 2002 that Brad and Becky started their own trucking company, Lindsey Dedicated Services, or LDS Inc. A very appropriate name because both Brad and Becky used their hard work ethic and dedication to make their business sucessful. They worked together as a team striving daily side by side to establish their growing business. The business did quickly grow to include twelve drivers, three shop employees and various other workers totaling twenty-five employees in all. Brad was thrilled to see his business take off, not only because of his strong work ethic, but also because he felt that creating jobs for others was his calling; his mission in life.

Brad had many passions in life besides his business and creating jobs for others. He was passionate about fishing and lived to fish on his bass boat at Indian Lake. He was passionate about NASCAR and was a strong Dale Earnhart fan. But his biggest passions were his family and friends. Brad could not let a day go by without talking to each of his children.

Because of Brad’s passion for life, at some point he had to acknowledge that he had a problem with drinking. Always one to persevere at anything he started, Brad joined Alcoholics Anonymous and has stayed sober for the remainder of his life. This was an accomplishment that he was not only proud of, but was admired for by friends and family. His gratitude for his own sobriety gave him the desire to help others with the same problem. Brad’s sponsoring and guiding others to A.A. became a very important part of his life.

Several years ago, Brad and his family discovered a small church in Kalamazoo, and became fast friends with Pastor Jim Dyke. Brad discovered tremendous purpose and meaning in his life, and he was quick to share his profound, but practical, spiritual dimension. No doubt, Brad cherished his personal relationship with God. Brad jumped into his church, and became a respected leader, listener and worker. Brad lived his faith.

In the end Brad had his life in order. He had a successful business, his relationships with his family and friends were strong. His son returned from the Navy a year ago, and he had the honor of walking his beautiful daughter down the aisle the last week of his life. He was secure in everything that he did and it was noticed by those around him.

Sunday, August 25, 2008 Brad was getting ready to go fishing, but first, he decided to spend time playing with his beloved dogs on the shore of his Indian Lake home. While frolicking with his Chocolate Lab, Tobey and his Golden Lab, Angel, Brad was stricken by a brain aneurism and died.

Brad was man who had many passions; passion for his business, passion for his family, passion for life. He was funny, humorous, and a practical joker. He felt his calling in life was to help others to obtain jobs and remain sober. He lived life to the fullest in the short time he was given.

Learn more about Brad, spend time with his family and friends, enjoy light refreshments and view his life story film Thursday from 3-7 pm at the Life Story Funeral Home-Portage 5975 Lovers Lane 344-5600 where a service to celebrate his life will be held Friday at 11 am. Members of Brad’s family include his wife Becky Moise, children; Thomas (Gayle) Perkins, Lorinda (Justin) Peters, Dustin (Nicole) Lindsey, his mother; Carol Kirkum, father; Marvin Lindsey, step-mother; Barb Kolassa, 5 grandchildren; Brighton, Rickey, Kayelee, Jack, Marcus and his siblings Larry (Bonnie) Lindsey, Jan (Mike) Wetherbee, John (Julia) Lindsey, Dave (Kim) Lindsey, Monica (Mick) Carpenter, Lee (Tom) Bidwell, Kerri (Craig) Wastell. He was preceded in death by his step-father Al Kirkum, an infant sister, Susan Kay, and all of his grandparents. Please visit Brad’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign his guestbook before coming to the funeral home or make a donation to Loaves and Fishes or St. Andrew Church Building fund.