| Graduation Year | Class of 1971 |
| Date of Passing | Nov 05, 2018 |
| About | Bradley Jay Waterbury, 65, peacefully passed away on November 5, 2018 at his home in Spokane, WA. He was surrounded by his wife Kim, and daughters Megan and Lauren. Brad, born and raised in Yakima, WA, was the middle of three children to Wayne and Gladys Waterbury. From a young age, Brad was involved in sports, as well as making mischief with his brother David and sister Wende at their childhood home. As a child, Brad was a frequent emergency room visitor due to his love for fun. He later would use his misadventures as examples of what NOT to do. A graduate from Eisenhower High School, he was the center for his football team, played the guitar, “played” the accordion, and participated in a swing jazz choir where he sang tenor. After graduating, he packed up Otis, his light green VW bug, and made his way to Pullman to attend Washington State University. There he earned a business degree in Business Administration. He began a career in banking but eventually transitioned to Human Resources. Brad, his former wife Rose and their two daughters, moved from Tri-Cities to Sulfur Springs, TX, then back up to Yakima and finally settled in Spokane Valley in 1990. Brad served at companies such as Itron, Itronix and Getronics, which is where he met Kim Graeber, whom he married in August of 2011. Brad and Kim relocated to Sandpoint, ID when he became the Director of Human Resources for Bonner General Health. In September of 2017, after they retired, Brad and Kim moved back to Spokane to be closer to family, including their five grandchildren; Aleighia (18), Sawyer (4), Sadie (2), and twin girls Mykah and Marlee (7 months). Brad had many loves, such as Broadway plays, college sports, especially the Cougs and Zags, cruising to places like Alaska and the Caribbean, and visiting his favorite place, Gearhart, OR. He enjoyed sitting outside BBQing with friends and family, engaging in a variety of conversations and loving on his grandbabies. Brad was a kind, loving and welcoming person who had a dry wit that had people smiling and laughing. It was a shock when the diagnosis of cancer was given in the middle of September. Though the battle was short, he fought to the very end with bravery and selflessness. During this time, his character shone through, never altering from the qualities that have made people fall in love with him for the past 65 years. He is survived by his wife Kim, daughters Megan Colyar (Kale and their children) and Lauren Waterbury, brother David Waterbury (Corinne), sister Wende Richardson (Wayne), mother-in-law Marjorie Graeber, brother-in-law Jeffrey Graeber (Michele) and his niece and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, December 9th at Centerplace Regional Event Center in Spokane Valley from 11 am - 2 pm. If you would like to honor Brad, in lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to his favorite charity, Meals on Wheels. Yakima Herald Republic, November 29, 2018 |
