Joseph “Dave” Bradley, age 70, of Torrington, Wyoming, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree, Colorado. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, May 3, 2024, at the Weborg 21 Centre in Gering, Nebraska with Rev. Mike Erdman officiating. Guests are kindly asked to use the west entrance. Cremation has taken place in accordance with Dave’s wishes. Memorials may be directed to a charity of choice in Dave Bradley’s name. The service will be live-streamed and recorded to Dave’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.
Dave was born May 9, 1953, in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Joseph C. and E. Jewell (Porter) Bradley. He grew up on a ranch in Elbert County, Colorado where he learned to ride horses, work cattle, and help run the family ranch. It was there he learned how to be a true cowboy, which is where his true passion in life was. He graduated from Kiowa High School and soon after moved to Nebraska to start a ranch and family of his own.
Dave wasn’t shy about marriage. He was married, yes, a few times. He gained three sons out of his marriages, who he was so proud of, and he wasn’t reluctant to tell people that.
Dave was a cattle rancher most of his life and put-up hay as well. Recently, he had been enjoying the road while driving a truck for local trucking companies. He was hard working his whole life and he wasn’t afraid to work until the job was done.
Dave was funny and made everyone laugh. He always had a joke to tell. His laugh was contagious and would make people laugh just by hearing it. He enjoyed the rodeo, from bull riding to team roping, he loved it all. He was a good roper back in the day and enjoyed training cutting horses and riding and competing in cuttings. He appreciated old western artwork, antiques, and Native American artifacts. Dave became a talented musician over the years, playing guitar and even writing his own songs. Country music and classic rock music were his favorites. He loved hunting, and playing cards, mainly pitch. Dave also always had a taste for muscle cars and sports cars.
Survivors include his sons, Kyle (Heidi), Kobie, and Kaden Bradley; and grandkids, Cadence and Braydon Bradley, and Hunter, Brecken, SJ and Kendall Bradley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Jewell Bradley; and sisters, Lois Rector and Janice Bradley.