Brad Wrae Minion

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Brad Minion, aged 71, on October 24, 2024. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Overland Park, KS.

 Brad was born on June 15, 1953 in South Gate, CA and spent his childhood in the Bay area. He moved to Washington State with his wife Karen [Krause] following their marriage in 1974, and then to the Kansas City area in 1999 with Karen and their three children. Brad was known for many things: his flat top haircut and thick black mustache; his love of motorcycling along the California coast with Karen in their early years of marriage; and his roles as the guitar player or drummer in various garage or church bands.

 A man of few words, he showed his love with acts of service, whether that be building a deck for Karen on the back of their first house, putting Christmas lights on the roof every year without fail, or being an all-around handyman as his kids moved into their first apartments. His children remember him as being the dependable dad with the big camcorder on his shoulder, capturing every moment on video, both big and small. His family cherishes those videos even more now that he is gone.

 A mere 3 months after retiring from his job as a mainframe computer programmer in 2018, Brad suffered a debilitating stroke. With Karen’s help and dedication to his recovery, he was able to move back home and live a relatively normal life. He resumed some of his household tasks, got to travel back to Washington to see family, and meet new grandchildren. In 2022 he was diagnosed with lymphoma, which he battled over the next 2 years and which ultimately took his life.

 Brad is survived by wife Karen; children Tyler (39) [wife Merideth], Katie (37) [husband Brandon], and Emily (37) [husband Mitcher]; grandchildren Khaleah (19), Daniel (10), Thomas (7), and Lyra (1); and siblings Terry, Lorayne, and Dale. He and wife Karen were set to celebrate their 50-year wedding anniversary this December.

 A private memorial will be held for family on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Friends, colleagues, neighbors, and others whose lives Brad touched are invited to share memories or photos by sending them to his daughter Katie at katieellenminion@gmail.com.

 As we reflect on Brad’s life, we urge those close to us to start living their best lives today. We believe Brad did just that. While working to provide for his family of five, he never missed a family dinner, a kid’s sporting event, a volunteer event at church, or the opportunity to help a neighbor. He spent time where it mattered most.

We love you, Brad — Bradley, dad, bampa — and we will miss you always.