Steven Rex Bradford

1948 - 2018

Steven Rex Bradford1948 ~ 2018
Steven Rex Bradford, age 69, passed away March 9, 2018 surrounded by his devoted and loving family. He was born in the summer of 1948 to Luella Bevan Bradford and Rex Miles Bradford in Spanish Fork, UT. After a move to Salt Lake City and a happy childhood spent among friends with whom he played basketball and baseball, Steven attended West High School, where he added his very excellent singing voice to the a capella choir. He then focused his attention on his studies at the University of Utah, graduating in 1973 with a B.S. in English.
Industrious and diligent, Steven enjoyed a career in public service, working for the State of Utah, first in the Department of Health as a Medicaid program manager. He then transitioned to the Utah Department of Human Services where he wrote administrative rules for the Utah Administrative Code and was a program manager for the Division of Services for People with Disabilities. After retiring from the State of Utah, he turned his compassionate nature to the intellectually disabled adults he worked with at Ability and Choice Services. Steven also served in the Air Force, followed by 14 years in the Utah Air National Guard.
Steven was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved son Adam, whom he never quit missing. He is survived by his former wife, Susan Pierce Bradford, darling daughter Addison, his devoted sister Lavon Mills, and his much-loved soulmate Chris Kamens.
Always kind, generous and supportive, Steven seemed to know intuitively when others needed help, and he was ready to lend a hand. The fact that so many of his childhood friends continued a lifelong relationship with Steven speaks to his loyalty and big heart. He was there in happiness and grief, always prepared to provide a strong shoulder to anyone who needed it.
The passions of Steven's life were music, especially opera, and books of every genre. He was brilliant and intellectual without being stuffy and people gladly turned to him as a source of information, no matter how arcane. If he was stuck in a waiting room or in line, Steven didn't pull out his cell phone and play games. Instead, he would produce a well-worn paperback and read it once again. He was unfailingly polite, even saying "please" when he made a request of Alexa. His only fault may have been that he thought that ketchup was one of the four food groups.
A celebration of Steven's life will be held when the spring weather arrives, at home in the garden he loved so much.
Condolences and remembrances may be sent to the family at www.MemorialUtah.com