John D. Brady

John Dirk Brady, age 93, passed away peacefully at an adult family home in Kirkland, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. John was born on Aug. 4, 1922, in Port Angeles. He moved to Oak Harbor at an early age, and there he met and married Kathleen “Kay” Kruick. They raised four children. Kay died in 2013 after 67 years of marriage.

While in high school, John was employed by his life-long friend, Henry Vander Pol, to work on the loading docks at Oak Harbor Freight Lines. John eventually became their long-distance driver, hauling freight between Oak Harbor and Seattle, twice a day, five days a week.

In 1983, John was honored as the Washington State Driver of the Year, with over 2.5 million accident-free miles. John was also asked to participate in the Washington State triple trailer trial on Interstate 5. John retired in 1984, after 43 years with the same company.

In his younger years, John was also a local volunteer fireman. He was a faithful member of the Christian Reformed Church, and he and Kay also owned and operated the local Crossroads Motel from 1961 to 1980. Following retirement, John was a funeral assistant for Burley Funeral Home.

John was a devoted family man, and a proud father. He was a selfless man who served his community and his church in many quiet capacities. Among his favorite memories were family vacations here and abroad, Husky football games, golfing at St. Andrews and trout fishing with his church family.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip Patrick Brady and the former Tonnette Van Niewenhuis; his wife Kay; his infant daughter Sherita; and his beloved siblings, Adrianna Wieldraayer, Garrett Brady and Chris Ernst.

John is survived by his children, Maurita Sanderson, John and Judy Brady, Michael and Thelma Brady and Lee Ann and Gordon Lam. He leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

The family offers their thanks to the devoted caregivers at the AFH, Group Health Hospice, and Gary and Martha Wallin of Wallin Funeral Home. A service to celebrate John’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Oak Harbor Christian Reformed Church, with Pastor Randy Beumer officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to the Christian Reformed Church.

Please visit John’s page in the Book of Memories at hosted at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor.