Bradford Norman Ator, 74, of Farmington, Utah died April 26, 2016 of Heart failure in Bountiful, Utah.
He was born May 5, 1941 in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois to Norman Ray and Geneva Dumford Ator. He married his high-school sweetheart, Gloria Danner on December 9, 1961 in Galesburg, IL. Marriage later solemnized in the Logan Temple July 12, 1962.
Brad was an electrical engineer and worked at Hercules, Torkelson, Roberts & Schaefer, Amax and UP&L. He graduated from Bradley University in 1964 with his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering. He constantly encouraged his children and grandchildren about the importance of education. He loved all sports but his favorites were basketball and football. He was an avid BYU fan and always rooted for them on game days. He loved coaching his kids in little league, and after they grew loved cheering for his grandchildren in the stands.
He loved to play catch with his kids and teach them handy skills such as carpentry and electrical. He also loved to teach them life lessons and the importance of treating people properly. Brad had a loving connection with his grandkids, and always made his best effort to make it to all of their functions despite his difficult battle with his health.
Brad had served in the bishopric in the Farmington 13th ward, as a scout leader, a high councilman, and in the stake young men’s presidency. When his kids were grown, Brad and Gloria were pleased to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma mission in 2012. He loved to share stories of his mission, and his testimony of Christ wherever he went.
Brad was preceded in death by a son, Clark (Karlene), his parents and a brother, Boyce.
He is survived by his wife Gloria, and their four children, Gayle (Bobby), Jan (Kyle), Dana (Brandon), and Nathan (Stacy).
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Farmington Utah Stake Center (Steed Creek) 347 South 200 West, Farmington. A visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, April 29th from 6:00-8:00 PM at Russon Brothers Farmington Mortuary, 1941 N. Main Street and on Saturday, April 30 from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM at the church prior to services. Interment- Farmington City Cemetery.
Charles Biederbeck
Sorry to hear of the loss of another long time friend. My thoughts and prayers to Gloria and the children. I have known Broad since eighth grade, we were on the basketball team together. I always found Brad to be a pleasant person with a smile for all.
Jerry D Johnson
So sorry to hear about another classmate passing. Brad was a great guy. My condolences to Gloria and her kids...
Helen J Gillette (Short)
My great sympathies to Gloria and the rest of Brad's family. He was one of the people I have always remembered fondly. We became classmates at Churchill for 7th grade and I think that was actually when he and Gloria started noticing each other. What a long time ago!!
Lowell Peterson
I was sorry to read of Brad's passing. He was a nice guy, a good man. I will pray for Gloria and family.
Jerry Rosine
I last saw Brad when I was in salt Lake about 10 years ago. We had a nice dinner and talked about our lives and careers.
Brad wast not only a good christian but a friend and neighbor many years and through Grade schoola nd High School. His parents were friend with my parents brother.
He will be missed.
Frank Hill
I am happy that Brad had a wonderful and full life. Could someone ask Gloria to make a www.Findagrave.com webpage for him if she does not know about this website already. They let people submit a webpage of there loved ones who have died with a bio and pictures including a photo of the gravesite for free. Theyalso have famouse gravesites. You can also leave messages for the person. It is all done online and simply to do. Dale has been adding a link to a person's FindaGrave.com webpage on our website when one is known. Thanks.
Frank
Dale Grupe
Terry D Wiebenga
The realities of a life time are slowing settling in with so many things being memories of what seems to be "yesterday", Yet the matter is the memories are the "years ago" on our real time line of life. But the memories are too strong, and they refuse to let go, holding on to us instead . . . and we enjoy and know the peace of retaining them . . . always! God bless us one and all for having been together once upon a time . . . . thoughts upon learning of Brad Ator's passing.
Apr 30, 2016 at 8:50 am, Edited: May 02, 2016 at 3:32 pm · Like (3)
Bonnie Rose (Furlong)
So Sorry to hear of Brad's passing. Thoughts and prayers are with Gloria and the family
Adale Lauver Finch (Tessman)
So sorry to hear of Brad's passing. Thoughts and prayers to Gloria and the family. He was a great guy and a good friend. Will be missed!John Sauter
Sorry to learn of Brad's passing. I enjoyed seeing Brad and Gloria many times over many years. My sympathy and best wishes for Gloria and her family.