Brad Weston

1943 - 2021

Brad Weston

1943 ~ 2021

John Bradford "Brad" Weston, born November 26, 1943, passed away May 16, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah, after a nearly two-year fight against cancer.

Raised in the small railroad town of Milford, Utah, Brad had a real presence about him throughout his 77 years. Whenever he wasn't around, people would ask, "Where's Brad?" That's the effect he had on others.

Brad loved the outdoors, a passion he instilled in his kids and grandkids. Family members needed only call Grandpa to learn the name of a bug, animal, flower, or rock. The Weston family remains most at home in nature, whether hiking or biking in the Wasatch Mountains or across Southern Utah's red rock deserts. The "Weston" last name says it all.

Brad and Linda became world travelers. Some of their favorite vacations included an African safari, trips with grandkids to Europe and Peru, taking in the sun on any beach — and most of all: visits to beautiful Costa Rica, full of friendly people. Like their parents, the Weston kids and grandkids use their passports whenever they can to travel to faraway locations.

Brad was outgoing, loyal to friends and family, honest to a fault, and genuine. A born leader, he was elected student body president and played sports at Milford High. Brad earned a B.S. and Master's degree in Zoology from BYU, where he studied hawks. This expertise enabled him to teach his kids, from a young age, how to read Utah's bird-filled skies. Later on, he was a standout employee and valued mentor to new hires in the pharmaceutical industry, where he worked for four decades.

An excellent photographer, Brad created his own Wall of Pictures in the Weston home, much to the enjoyment of visitors, less so the Weston kids. In total, his photo collection grew to over 10,000 images of … you name it, he had it.

Brad possessed two green thumbs and took pride in carrying on the Weston tradition of maintaining manicured yards and staying on top of the gardening. His time spent outside mowing the lawn, fixing sprinklers, clipping rose bushes, and raking leaves, kept him busy year-round. We already miss that routine.

Like too many others across Utah and the West, Dad was a Downwinder. In his final days, he commented that all five Milford boys who delivered newspapers in town alongside him would eventually be diagnosed with cancer. He also served in Vietnam as a sergeant, experiencing combat up close. Another quality that speaks to his character: Dad took the time to write his local representatives in government, whether about population growth, the environment, human rights, or today's divisive politics.

Brad, son of Jack and Wilma Weston, is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of almost 55 years, Linda, daughter, Linley and spouse Mike, sons Kyle, Kael, and Craig and spouse Kari, much-loved grandchildren, Lauren, Isabella, Jack, Ian, twins Grace and Audrey, and sister Diane and spouse Brent. Linda called Brad her "enthusiastic learner"—always eager to educate himself on anything. He was our Mom's best friend, confidante, and true lifelong love. They showed us all what a committed and lasting marriage can be.

The Weston family would like to thank the nurses, doctors, and social workers at Huntsman Cancer Institute for their professionalism throughout Brad's treatments. We hope more families facing cancer diagnoses can receive the quality of medical care he had at Huntsman. As in that famous poem by Dylan Thomas, our Dad did not go gentle into that good night. He fought hard – while he lost use of his lungs, his was a strong heart – and from his hospital bed posted a short but moving final Facebook message for friends.

On Father's Day, Dad's ashes were spread in Southern Utah's Mineral Mountains. Ravens flew overhead and Swallowtails circled along a small stream. In this remote area of sagebrush and arrowheads, Dad built many campfires over the years. While camping, he always encouraged his kids and grandkids to look up, explaining to them the workings of the cosmos and pointing out Mars, Orion, and other planets and constellations.

If friends would like to memorialize Brad, consider donating to an environmental cause, planting a tree, or writing a letter to the editor. Dad would want each of us to do our part to help make the world a better and kinder place – for all kids, everywhere, who look up under night skies and dream big.