Bradley McLeod Obituary
Bradley Jay McLeod
August 31, 1951 - June 6, 2025
Lenexa, Kansas - On Friday, June 6, 2025, with classic rock music playing softly in the background and being surrounded by his loved ones, Bradley Jay McLeod passed on from this life to the next. He left knowing that everything was going to be alright for those left behind.
Brad was born in Washington, DC on August 31, 1951 to Margaret Starr McLeod and John Robert "Bob" McLeod. He was the first of four boys born to the McLeod family. The McLeods started off in Falls Church, VA and then moved on to Andover, MA and finally settled in Wilton, CT.
Brad graduated from Wilton High School in 1969, where he helped organize their lacrosse program. Though a passionate and talented skier, Brad passed up the opportunity to go to the University of Colorado as he felt the location would interfere with his studies. Instead, he decided on Knox College, a small liberal arts college in Galesburg, IL, where he majored in business and art. He spent his summers in various places, but his favorite was his summer job at Jungle Larry's at Cedar Point, where he was an assistant elephant trainer. He graduated from Knox in 1973 and then attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he earned a Masters Degree in Advertising/Marketing. It was there that he met his life's partner, Debra Osterloh. Brad and Debbie both graduated from the U of I in 1975 and were married in Debbie's hometown of St. Louis on June 24, 1977. They expanded their family to include two daughters: Catherine Rose (1983) and Elizabeth Lauren (1986), which earned Brad his well-deserved nickname of Brad the Rad Dad.
Brad had a varied career. He started off in the market research industry, but wanting to get away from market research, he took a job as a project manager at American Seating in Grand Rapids, MI. He and Debbie arrived in the Kansas City area in 1981, where Brad took a job in art direction/advertising/marketing at an office furnishing company. He remained in the office furnishing industry for a many years before deciding he wanted to branch out with a company of his own.
In 1998, he bought an internet sales based motorcycle company and renamed it Red Horse Motorworks. Brad always loved motorcycles and had had owned Indians, Triumphs, and Hondas while in high school and college. Brad grew Red Horse from strictly internet sales to include physical dealerships as well, mainly throughout the east coast and Midwest. He was working on expanding to the west coast and abroad when the recession hit and Brad had no choice but to reluctantly close up shop in 2007.
Always tenacious and optimistic, Brad thought of what to do next and realized one of the things he loved most at Red Horse was traveling with the bikes to various shows and events. The open road beckoned and Brad got his CDL and became an over the road truck driver. It was during that time when an event happened that changed many aspects of his life. On April 14, 2008, while in southeast Missouri supervising the loading of cottonseed into a hopper trailer, Brad slipped and fell 15 feet to the ground. He fractured some vertebrae and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. After five weeks in a coma, Brad woke up and recovered with the help of therapy with Ability KC (then the Rehab Institute of Kansas City) and his drive to get well for his family. For 17 years Brad lived a very full life with his family and friends until his brain decided to rest.
Brad loved many things: skiing, airplanes (he had his private pilot's license and loved old World War II warbirds), motorcycles (he worked pit crew for sport bike races), Corvettes (he owned one briefly), trains (he created a business plan for a train-themed restaurant), creating stained glass, reading, writing (he had a number of books he was working on, mainly a novel about the China Clipper), traveling the world, sweets (especially dark chocolate), and of course, Coca-Cola. His painting at yearly events to Pinot's Palette were eagerly anticipated as would always go his own way in his artwork, much like he did in life. He loved working on the small farm that he and Debbie purchased in 1994 as a home for the family's increasing horse population.
He volunteered many places because he felt it was always important to give back. He was a member of the Kentwood (MI) Jaycees and the Shawnee (KS) Jaycees, even serving as their president. He lent a hand at horse shows doing whatever needed to be done. He helped restore the TWA Constellation that was hangered at the Wheeler Downtown Airport and was a member of the Commemorative Airforce. After his injury, he volunteered at a memory care facility and with Literacy KC to help adults learn to read. Even in death, Brad continued to give, donating various organs to Midwest Transplant Network so that others may heal.
Brad is survived by his wife of 48 years, Debbie; his daughters Cathie McLeod Chiccine (Mike) and Betsy McLeod; his brothers, Jack (Mazama, WA) and Iver (Bath, ME); his big white protector of a dog, Rocket, and many equines; and countless friends and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Margaret McLeod (Camden, ME); his brother, Larry McLeod (Cambridge, MA); and his in-laws, Frank and Virginia Osterloh (St. Louis, MO). Also awaiting him across the rainbow bridge are many family pets, who are no doubt excited to get treats from him again.
A celebration of life will be held on August 31 from 2-5 p.m. at Jack Stack Barbecue, located at 101 W. 22nd Street, Kansas City, Missouri. Those attending are encouraged to be like Brad and wear their most joyful clothing (Brad loved his rock band T-shirts, plaid flannel, the color red, and of course, denim). In lieu of flowers, donations in Brad's name may be made to Ability KC, the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City, or the Midwest Transplant Network.
Published by Kansas City Star from Jul. 24 to Jul. 26, 2025.