S. Kay Bradford

Sylvester Kay Bradford, 85, returned peacefully to our Heavenly Father on September 27, 2014 in Blanding, UT surrounded by his children and his loving wife of 65 years, LaRae.
He was born to Sylvester “Vet” and Thora Black Bradford on January 23, 1929 in Blanding, UT.
He graduated a proud San Juan Bronco, then continued his education at Southern Utah University.
Kay married LaRae Palmer on June 26, 1949 in Blanding, UT. Their marriage was later solemnized on February 25, 1952 in the Manti Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
One of Kay’s favorite life experiences while working on the water project of the Blanding Tunnel with his father and brothers was the day he drilled the last hole, which broke through, connecting the north and south sides of the tunnel.
This milestone in Kay’s life set in motion his passion for mining as a career, which led to mining uranium at Red Canyon and Fry Canyon in San Juan County.
After accepting a supervisory position with Kennecott Copper Mine in Ely, NV, he moved his family there. In 1961, he transferred to the Utah Kennecott Division in Salt Lake City, UT.
After 25 years of dedicated service to Kennecott, Kay went to work for Barrick Gold Mine, where he was the drill and blast supervisor.
He accepted a mobile equipment supervisor position in Susanville, CA, working for AMAX Gold Division at the Lassen Gold Mine before retiring in 1991 to his treasured home of Blanding.
Another passion of Kay’s was his love for basketball. He played on the All Church Championship team in 1954, under the coaching of Blanding’s beloved coach LaRay Alexander.
Kay was an extraordinary man who knew the meaning of unconditional love and taught his family through his example.
He will be remembered as a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather who loved to sing and dance with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Kay is survived by his beautiful wife, LaRae Palmer Bradford; children Joyce (Jay) Fackrell of Midvale, UT; Kenneth Kay (Tammy) of West Jordan, UT; Raymond Vance (Paula) of Orem, UT; and David Patton (Diane) of Blanding; 14 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; siblings Blain (Dorothy) of Midvale, UT, Luelma of Orem, UT, Cleal (Nancy) of Blanding, and Betty Ann (Edwin) Hawkins of Blanding.
Kay is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Tex and Theda, oldest daughter Audree, and oldest grandson Gordon Lynn Hyde, II.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at the Blanding LDS Stake Center.
Interment in the Blanding City Cemetery.
Card of thanks
The family of S. Kay Bradford would like to thank Dr. Kelly Jeppeson, Dr. Curtis Black, Dr. Gene Key, San Juan Hospital, Four Corners Care Center, Blue Mountain Hospital and their nursing staff, along with all others who helped care for our husband and father.
We wish to express our sincere gratitude to Mindy White and Jacqueline Latham for their extraordinary care.
We also wish to thank Bishop Boyd Laws and the Blanding Third Ward Relief Society for their loving support during this difficult time.
Special thanks to Danny Palmer and San Juan Mortuary.
LaRae Palmer Bradford
Jay & Joyce Fackrell
Kenneth & Tammy Bradford
Vance & Paula Bradford
David & Diane Bradford