Nevada Daily Mail sports icon dies at age 61

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

By Eric Wade-Nevada Daily Mail

Kelly Bradham

Former Nevada Daily Mail sports editor Kelly Bradham died at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Tuesday, at the age of 61.

Bradham had spent 30 years as sports reporter and editor at the Daily Mail; and according to his sister, Cam Owens, was "a Nevada favorite." He was also a lifelong member of the Baseball Writer's Association of America.

Bradham was known throughout the community for his love of all things related to sports and became a longtime staple in the community that will be sorely missed. Julie Righter, Nevada Daily Mail publisher, said of Bradham, "The only thing Kelly loved more than sports was writing about sports. He was a Nevada legend. He covered me through high school sports and then I had the privilege of working with him and becoming his friend. He will be missed."

Bradham was not just a fan of local sports, however. He was also an avid Kansas City Royals fan and even got one of the steps leading up to the press box of Kauffman Stadium informally, jokingly named after him when he tripped on his way up.

"Kelly knew Nevada sports backwards and forwards ... any number or statistic you wanted, people would say, 'Just call Kelly.' He even ciphered how many days it had been since Nevada had defeated Webb City in football in one of his columns. He had a wealth of knowledge, and a wealth of love for the town of Nevada," said Nevada Daily Mail editor Lynn Wade.

Bradham had been battling long-term complications from a liver transplant approximately six years ago and was undergoing kidney dialysis. He had been in a local nursing home before being transferred to University of Kansas Medical Center. Bradham became an amputee, losing an arm and a few fingers. Malnourishment and dehydration started to take their toll on his body -- as well as the damage his illness had already done.

After his organs began to shut down Tuesday afternoon, doctors made the decision to cut off life support at 5:30 p.m., and Bradham died one hour later.

Funeral arrangements are still pending and further updates -- along with a full obituary -- will appear in a future issue of the Nevada Daily Mail.

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My thoughts and prayers are with the family. He was an awesome human being with a great humor and a vast knowledge of almost anything. I enjoyed working with him at the newspaper years ago.

-- Posted by mcb on Wed, Aug 20, 2008, at 9:00 AM
-- Posted by rick owen on Wed, Aug 20, 2008, at 9:01 PM
Kelly Bradham was a man of great skill and love for sports, particularly local sports. Kelly's knowledge was vast in many areas and you could always strike up an interesting conversation on almost any subject. Kelly was never shy about sharing his opinion and loved a good debate.

Kelly will be missed and a chapter closed that can never again be written.

So many people young and old will honor and pay tribute to Kelly and it will be well deserved.

To the family, please know of the our love and concern.

Kelly, goodbye and thank you!

-- Posted by ETB on Wed, Aug 20, 2008, at 11:14 PM
Kelly made a career of writing articles which made parents proud of their young athletes. That pride helped instill the confidence to deal with challenges in life. That is a pretty high calling. You did well Kelly. There are a whole lot of us out here who are proud to have known you.

-- Posted by lbrown on Fri, Aug 22, 2008, at 5:07 PM
As I learned of the passing of Kelly Bradham, I immediately began to reflect on the first years of my coaching career in Nevada. Being a first year head coach, I often, nervously, shared a morning cup of coffee with the regulars at Bob Moore's and 54 Cafe. I enjoyed the sharing of the morning sports reports on Nevada Tiger scores with Coach Testman, fishing reports from Joe Bradham and the golfing stories from Bill Wynn and Lyle Catron. It was there, in those morning visits, that I began to understand the passion and pride the community of Nevada has for Tiger athletics and the community itself.

As young head football coach, I also began to develop my skills of working with the press. With Kelly being one of my first to work with, I did not fully understand the passion he had for his hometown and beloved Tigers. As my coaching career has taken me to other communities and I have worked with other sportswriters, I have grown to appreciate the pride and passion for Kelly had for Nevada athletics. One thing for sure, you knew where he stood on a subject, even though you may not agree with his point of view. Regardless, you knew he did care for the community and Nevada High School.

Nevada has been fortunate to have someone like Kelly with his loyalty and commitment to Nevada. I feel fortunate to have been a part of the community and I will always have fond memories of everyone there, especially Kelly.

Alan Spencer

Former Nevada Tiger Football Coach

-- Posted by Alan Spencer on Sun, Aug 24, 2008, at 10:50 AM

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