Kyle Robert Bradford, age 90 of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Wednesday, September 5, 2018. Kyle was born on December 27th 1927 in Hamlin Twp., MI to Clara (Kellogg) and Walter Bradford Sr. He attended Olivet High School and went on to honorably serve in US Navy and then US Air Force where he learned to fly as part of the Warrant Officer program. After leaving the service, Kyle spent many hours hanging out and flying at the Miller field airport in Eaton Rapids with his brother Lyle. He landed a job as a navigator for Pan American Airlines and during a furlough married Margaret Brown of Eaton Rapids. Together, they settled in California where he continued to fly for Pan Am and retired as a Captain of 747s in 1987.
After retirement he and Margaret returned home to their farm in the Eaton Rapids area. He was a lifelong member of the EAA and spent the last 30 years building experimental airplanes and flying them with very few mishaps. Many summer mornings and evenings he could be seen taking off from his farm runway and lifting into the ether he loved so much. He was recently honored by the FAA with a Master Pilot Certificate for over 50 years of safe flying. Anyone that met Kyle knew right away that he was a kind and gentle man that valued time with his family and was always generous with everyone he knew.
Kyle is preceded in death by his parents; grandsons, Pete Bradford and infant Lucas Sisco; twin-brother, Lyle Bradford; sisters, Winona Davis, Jean Kline, infant Geneva; brothers Walter and Alden Bradford.
Surviving are his wife, Margaret Bradford; children, Mike (Suzie) Bradford, Patricia (Randy) Horton, Lyle (Wendy) Bradford, Cathy (Ken) Sisco, Christopher Bradford, Scott (Dori) Bradford, Luci (David) Sharp; 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, brothers, Bill (Marlene) Bradford, John (Vicki) Bradford and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 10, 2018 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and a burial service will be held at noon on Saturday, September 15th at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center. To share memories or condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com