In Loving Memory
David Lee Brady November 11, 1920—December 14, 2020
“Leader of the Band”
David Lee Brady (Papa) passed quietly after a brief illness on December 14, 2020 at St. John’s Hospital in Oxnard, California. He was born November 11, 1920 at home on High Mesa near Montrose, Colorado. He was the second child of Maude Francis (West) and Leo (Lee) Charles Brady.
Dad had just celebrated his 100th Birthday in November. He was a deeply spiritual man who lived his faith and led by example. He had a strong will that he applied when he felt there was something important to be done. But he was in essence, a quiet and kind man who loved children, animals, and everyone he met.
Growing up on the farm, he learned discipline and developed a strong work ethic. He attended Olathe High School in Western Colorado where he excelled in his studies earning him the nickname, “Professor.” He was his senior class President, quarterback on his school’s football team, active in the band and drama club. He had a passion for music, teaching himself tenor saxophone and starting his first dance band while still in high school. The band consisted of five members and were called The Star Dusters.
During World War ll, he was a member of the Army Air Corps and flew 35 combat missions in Europe. His crew also ran 3 secret “milk runs” to provide fuel for General Patton. After the war, he was able to complete his education on the G.I Bill. He earned a B.A. in Music Education, and an M.A. in Administration from Western Colorado University in 1950.
He was an accomplished musician who played in numerous dance bands throughout Ventura County. He was a band director and educator at the Moorpark High School and Santa Paula Union High School in the nineteen fifties and sixties, ran a successful farm and several small businesses.
He and his wife, Virginia, ran J.B. Penny Music on Main Street in downtown Ventura during the nineteen seventies and eighties. After retirement he continued to offer music instruction to parochial schools in our area and he taught music at Briggs School in Santa Paula.
Not one to sit idly by in retirement, dad formulated a non-profit mutual benefit corporation to help purchase the Ventura Country Estates Mobile Home Park where the Brady family resided. He felt that a resident-owned mobile home park was the only way to keep housing affordable for the senior residents.
Additionally, in his free time he enjoyed playing golf, gardening, reading historical novels and doing the daily newspaper jumble puzzles. He wrote music by hand and occasionally wrote silly, but insightful poetry usually with a twist of satire.
Dad was an extremely positive person who found purpose in every moment of his life. He cared diligently for his wife of 68 years and told her that “it’s payback time” for all the sacrifices she had made for him over the years. He sent a birthday card to an elderly neighbor and wrote, “The good thing about getting old is that you become wiser and better looking!” His selfless dedication showed even at the end. He was in the process of writing Christmas cards to be sent to family members.
“One Hundred years of Service!” Dad lived a very full life! God bless you Papa! You have, and always will inspire us to do our best!
Dad is survived by his wife, Virginia Evelyn (Wicklund) Brady of Ventura and his sister, Della Dotson of Grand Junction, Colorado. His sons, Laurence Brady, and Michael Grund (Cindy), and daughters, Gayle Montelin (Jon), Cathy Krushell (David), Nancy Garate (Randy), and Barbara Summers also survives him. His grandchildren include Karl Jasko, Leslie McCaddon-Mendoza (Rob), Daniel Grund, Emily Hawarny (Jimmy), David Garate (Alisa), Matthew Rader, and Haley Jump (Daniel). His great grandchildren include Kyler McCaddon, Madeleine McCaddon, Lucas McCaddon, Jordan Garate, Alex Garate, and Corbin Garate. He is also survived by three nephews: Don Thompson (Marilyn), Glenn Dotson (Beverly), and Jim Dotson, his cousins: goddaughter, Dalet Brady, Jeffrey Brady, Kenny Brady, Debra Diez, Kimmerly Brady, and their mother Janet Brady, Rodney Brady, and Margaret Tharaldson.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Maude Brady, his father, Lee Brady, sister Marie Thompson, brother-in law John Thompson, brother-in-law Alva Dotson, daughter, Joy Jasko, son-in-law Karcsi Jasko, daughter-in-law Donna Brady, grandson Kyle Montelin, and grandson –in-law Michael McCaddon. Also, his cousins who have preceded him in death are: Roger Kestler, Ellen Evans, John Brady, Ronald Brady and wife, Catherine Brady, Dale Brady, Michael Brady, and Brian Brady who passed two days before dad.
There will be a Rosary followed by a Funeral Mass on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 starting at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church located at 10800 Henderson Rd. Ventura, California. Interment will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held later.
Arrangements are under the direction of JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to be made to:
St. John’s Spiritual Care Services at supportsjohns.org , Food Share, 4156 Southbank Rd. Oxnard CA. 93036, or a favorite charity of your choice.