Don Bradshaw

Don F. Bradshaw
Nov 24, 1926 - Dec 3, 2020
Don Frederick Bradshaw passed away on December 3, 2020 of natural causes. He joined his beloved wife Jean, who had passed away earlier this year. Don was able to celebrate a happy 94th birthday and final Thanksgiving with his family. He had just returned from spending time in St. George, Utah, with two of his sons and their wives, and had been enjoying video calls and chats with his other children and extended family throughout the holiday.
Don was the youngest of four Bradshaw children. In the telling of his youth, Don described many adventures of growing up as the youngest child with lots of freedom to explore Salt Lake City in the 1930's. Throughout his life he enjoyed camping and skiing in Utah's mountains. He was an early 4-wheeler in southern Utah exploring many areas that are now off limits to motorized travel with his family and dear friends. Don was an avid skier and kept up the sport well into his 80's. He loved "bluebird" ski days at Deer Valley and Park City, especially with his wife, children and grandchildren, and was proud of the skiing legacy he instilled in his family.
A graduate of East High School, his college studies were interrupted by World War II. Don joined the U.S. Coast Guard at the age of 17 serving as a radioman on a troop transport ship in the Pacific theater. After the war, he returned to the University of Utah to complete his education. Prior to his passing he held some notoriety for being the oldest living member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity with pin number 650. For some 70-plus years, he continued to support the Beta house at the University of Utah and annual Beta events that took place on his Farmington "Farm" property. Don forged many life-long friendships and connections from his years as a Beta.
Don married Jean Ward in 1951 and they celebrated 68 years of marriage and raised four children together before Jean passed away earlier this spring. Don founded American Insurance & Investment Corp., which would ultimately grow to include sons Dave and Dan in the operations. Don spent his business career being active in various business groups and associations, gaining personal and lasting friendships through these networks. He served in leadership roles with the Utah Independent Agents Association, the Surplus Lines Association, the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter Society, the Salt Lake Rotary Club, the Alta Club, and The Salt Lake Country Club. Don also belonged to the Chesapeake Duck Club, where he enjoyed spending beautiful fall weekends with longtime friends. He and Jean served together as Salt Lake Inner-City Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he spent many years as a Scout leader while his sons were growing up.
A retelling of Don's life is not complete without mentioning the family "Farm" in Farmington, Utah. An original pioneer-era house and cherry orchard, the Farm was often the backdrop for hosting family and friends for BBQs or garden parties. The Farm property featured beautiful grounds, a cherry orchard, pool, and a John Deere tractor named Bertha. These provided endless projects. Sometimes he could be heard saying, "it seems like something is always broken here." Many life lessons were imparted by Don to his grandchildren as many of them learned the value of hard work there while spending Saturdays working with their grandparents on Farm upkeep and projects.
We would like to publicly thank the caregivers and the hospice nurses at Inspiration Home Health for their care of Mom and Dad this past year.
Don is survived by his children D. David (Sharmon), G. Daniel (Holly), John, and Amy Young (Howard); by nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Jean, parents, and siblings.
Due to the pandemic, the family will hold a private service at 10:30 AM Saturday, December 12th, 2020. For those that wish to participate remotely via Video Conference, please send an email to: donbradshawmemorial@gmail.com. Interment will be at the Willard Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Don and Jean Bradshaw's honor to The University of Utah Hospital Foundation.
For a more detailed version of Don's life please visit www.larkincares.com.