John Bradford Gatewood

John Bradford Gatewood, "Brad" left in his canoe and began his journey across the celestial ocean, on January 13, 2022. He was born June 20, 1953 and was preceded in death by his parents, Jack & Nancy Gatewood, all his grandparents and all his Aunts and Uncles. He is survived by his three brothers, Jack, Marc and Todd Gatewood, their wives respectively, Jane, Alecia and Ginger, their families, nieces nephews and many cousins, whom he loved very dearly.

Brad had beautiful sky blue eyes. He loved the sun and was always nicely tanned. Brad taught his youngest baby brother the only two words he could say for a year, "Brad-Do", and he was quite satisfied with himself over this, as that phrase lasted in our family forever. He loved everything about nature and the great outdoors, and he would spend as much time in nature as he could his entire life. He loved every animal and was fascinated by them all. Animals loved him too. He loved the lake and oceans alike, the fish and every critter that crawled, flew bit or could sting ya. He was at home on any river or creek. He loved to take road trips, near or far. He traveled from New York City to the Pacific Ocean with his trusted collie, Cole, and a cadre of friends. Brad had many friends. Nic Dwnell, Dick Broadland, George Turvey, Leon Eschbach, Jerry Dixon, Robert Beck, Boone Sanders and Chuck Butler always remained his life long "brothers in arms", enjoying many football games, lakeside outings, river campouts and BBQ feasts. Brad was the undisputed king of "low and slow BBQ", and it was world class perfection and deliciousness.

Brad was a Eagle Scout from Troop 16 in Tulsa. He attended the World Jamboree. As a teenager, he purchased for himself with his money a 1953 Studebaker Champ. It was maroon, and it really stood out amongst all the muscle car's of his era. Brad was on the Memorial Wrestling team and was good, winning many matches. Brad loved to build models and modify them into hot rods of his own creation. He was a Duncan Yo-Yo Champion and represented Duncan Yo-Yo and knew all the tricks and could teach them at demonstrations at Skaggs. He even won a 5 speed bike in the grand Duncan Yo-Yo spin off. He worked at Baskin Robbins as a kid and was very generous with us all. He was our hero!!! When Brad was a senior in High School, he talked my parents into allowing him to join the United States Army, so after he graduated he could go to Vietnam. He was so thrilled about it and it terrified the rest of us.

After coming home from the United States Army, Brad bought a 1971 Firebird Formula 400, with a 440 V8 and a Muncie Rock Crusher transmission, full posi track, double ram air hood, Midnight Metal Flake Blue, with two white racing stripes down the middle, off the lot new from Ernie Miller for 3600 dollars. He loved to drive that sled to it's limits.
Brad settled into a career that lasted 40 years with The United States Post Office, Special Delivery, spanning over 2 million accident free miles. He received every award, service pin, badge and recognition possible and as such he was very proud of that. He was a handsome guy and the news would regularly pick him to run their Christmas eve stories about the post office getting the presents to the kids. We were always so proud to see him on the news like that.

Brad unfortunately received recognition globally from Paul Harvey and Reuter's for surviving a fatal boating accident on December 24-25th, 1978 where he lived longer than any other known human in freezing water, 36 hours and never succumbed to hyperthermia.

As and adult in a working career Brad began to study "the real deal" Okinawan Kempo Karate, Ryukyu Kempo, under Sensei Cox, and after a serious decade plus of 100% dedication, Brad was honored in Kansas City by Master Sensei Taika Seiyu Oyata, and received the rarest and highest honor of Black Belt in Zenkoku Ryukyu Kempo Karate Kobudo Rengo Kai. This was a beyond amazing physical art that he was beautiful at. It involved complete discipline and complete mastery and expert use of the Bo, Jo, Eku, Nunte, Tanbo, Tonfa, Kama, Sai, Manji Sai, Nunchaka's ( completely cool ) and the Chizikunbo. Brad was a expert at all these weapons and was like a cobra, or invisible wind if he wanted to be. He knew and had a complete mastery of the human anatomy and in particular the nervous system and every strand of it for his art.

Brad had a lot of loves hobbies and interests and he was very smart. He could have never written this because he was way too humble. He loved being a Harley boy and decorating his hog for the toy runs. Brad was renowned for his Halloween Parties during the 70's and 80's and the only band was always his good friend and fellow Harley boy, Steve Pryor. Those parties were legendary.

As people have called to talk about Brad, the one thing is very clear and universally agreed upon, Brad was a good listener. He always had time for you. He loved having that rapport with people and people trusted him with their lives problems and stories. He would always listen carefully. You never knew what he might say or what his advice or remedy was, but it always felt better after people visited with him. He could say some really wild things that were hilarious, or sometimes very short wise helpful sayings. Ya never knew what he would say.

Brad loved his family with all his being. His mom and dad and brothers where everything to him. Brad was everyone's favorite from most any perspective in the family. He was proud to be and an American German but his cultural identity was 100% Okie.
We are all missing him, and are going to keep missing him. As a kid, I would get a lump in my throat every time he went to Scout Camp, or the World Jamboree or the Army. I just felt better when he was near. In the spring our brother Jack will hopefully be able to officiate a graveside service for him. TBA, as they say.

And lastly, there is for sure one fact in life, Brad Gatewood was loved. He was loved by so many people. Brad Gatewood, lived his life, his way. Without a doubt, it pleases him when we share with each other the super funny and unique stories that we all have about him, and those stories will endure. We were all lucky that we were able to share a fire, and have Brad Gatewood in our lives.