After a full and wonderful life, Bradley Hugh Parker died on June 6, 2023, surrounded by family and friends. Brad was born on November 7, 1951, to Douglas and Corene Parker. He was the oldest of seven children and grew up in Boulder, Colorado. Brad loved his family and remained close with his siblings throughout his life. His childhood was filled with love, adventure, and just the right amount of mischief. Throughout his life, he could captivate an audience with stories from his youth of hitch hiking, pranks, and sharing a tent with a grizzly bear. After high school, Brad served for two years in the Netherlands as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and graduated from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah Law School.
While in law school, Brad’s life changed forever when he went on a blind date with Valorie Johnson. They quickly fell in love and became best friends. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple and lived an extraordinary life together. Brad adored Valorie and their love was evident to all who knew them. They went on dates every weekend, traveled the world together, and established rich and enduring friendships.
One of Brad’s greatest joys was being a father and, later, a grandfather. He and Valorie have four sons and four daughters-in-law (Ryan and Camille, Wells and Elisabeth, Kimball and Elizabeth, and Braden and Tara), one daughter (Hailey), and eleven grandchildren. Brad coached his kids’ soccer teams, taught them to ski, helped them with their homework, and took them on hikes and adventures. In recent years, he could often be found tending his bees, making movies, and building elaborate marble tracks with his grandchildren. Brad was a master at showing his children and grandchildren that he loved and believed in them.
After law school, Brad opened his own law firm with two partners—Rich McKeown and Jim McConkie—who, with their wives, became his life-long friends. Brad worked hard and became a skilled litigator, successfully representing underdogs and advocating for important causes in courtrooms across Utah. Brad was quick to use his ability to serve those in need and, with Jim, founded the Refugee Justice League to help refugees in Utah access free legal help.
Brad had a kind heart and a disarming sense of humor. His kids teased him that he couldn’t get through a dinner prayer without tearing up, and he was quick to lighten conversations with a funny story, well-timed pun, or a clever “dad joke.” He took a genuine interest in those he met and had a remarkable ability to love and empathize with others.
Brad was a disciple of Jesus Christ and relished his opportunities to serve in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed thinking deeply about spiritual things and had a talent for writing and delivering talks and lessons on gospel topics. In one of his talks, Brad testified reassuringly that, “we have a Savior who can bring to our hearts peace, certainty, and an unwavering assurance that death is not the end. As surely as there has been separation, there will be a joyful reunion.”
The Parker family would like to give special thanks to Bill and Julie Prince and Rick and Cathy Graham for their love and support during this time and their deep and enduring friendship with Brad and Valorie. The family would also like to thank the doctors and nurses at Intermountain Health who cared for Brad so compassionately during his last days and family friend Jesse Fox who counseled with Brad and Valorie as his health declined.
Funeral services for Brad will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 1:00pm at the Bonneville Stake Center (1535 Bonneview Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84105). There will be a viewing at the Stake Center on Friday, June 9th from 7:00-8:30pm and on Saturday, June 10th from 11:30am-12:30pm. Brad was passionate about helping refugees and we ask that, in lieu of flowers, friends donate to the Refugee Justice League. https://www.refugeejustice.org/donate
May your lovely family feel the encompassing love of our Savior at this tender time of great loss. Know that there will be many arms and hands to support you and carry you when needed.
Brad was so critical in Michelle and I (Brandon) making the church is critical piece of our lives. His view on the church inspired me and welcomed me. What a kind soul. For the family you had his amazing soul for many years. Our heart goes out to you. Prayers with you!
What a wonderful man! I enjoyed every interaction I had with Brad -- talking about law, refugees, church, God, the gospel, life, temple recommend interviews, his family . . . he was always kind, interesting and interested, thoughtful, curious, and clearly a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for him and his family, especially Val, and pray the Comforter abide with each of you.
Brad was one of the kindest human beings I've ever known. I am so sorry for your loss and am thinking of your family.
So sorry to hear of Brad’s passing. I have such great childhood memories of the Parker family and I know what a great friend he has been to my parents. Thinking of his family during this time ❤️
Every interaction I had with Brad I left feeling uplifted. Such a deep thinker and so empathetic. What a wonderful human and he’ll be greatly missed. Thinking of your family at this time.
Val and Family,
Our love for your dear husband and father is multiplied and extended to you at this tender time. We have wonderful memories of service with him and with you. Our lives are enriched as a result, thank you! May our Heavenly Father’s love for Brad, and for each of you, be abundantly evident and bring a an abundant measure of peace.
We are sad to hear of Brad’s passing. We are in England serving a mission and he was most helpful in getting our paperwork completed and always so kind to us . Enjoy celebrating his life and his goodness.
Love
Dan and Martha
Val and Family:
I learned from Jeff Edwards yesterday about Brad's passing when I asked him how things were going in the ward. Obviously not as well as they did with Brad's presence. I got to know Brad fairly well when I was the Stake Executive Secretary, and the new Stake Presidency was called. Brad was a great example to me of what a true disciple of Christ is like or should be like. I hope I can follow his great example. He was always very kind and patient with me and I appreciated that a great deal.
I was greatly saddened when I heard of Brad's passing. Reading Brad's obituary reminded me of what a great person he is and all he did for not only his family but those that he came in contact with. I am sorry for your loss.
My deepest condolences to Val, Ryan, Wells and the entire family. What a great legacy he has left, evidenced by an amazing family.
I will miss Brad's spirit-filled and thought-provoking talks on gospel topics, as well as his warm friendship. He was a wonderful man who helped make my transition into a new neighborhood and ward a fulfilling and wonderful change.
Many condolences to Valorie and her children. We love you and will think of Brad often and fondly.
Brad, thank you for all you did for our family. Your service for our family will never be forgotten. Crew will always know your name as the man who fought so hard for him! We wouldn’t be where we are as a family if it wasn’t for your hard work and dedication to our case! You will forever be missed! May you Rest In Peace knowing all the amazing things you did while you were here on earth.
We will be praying for your families peace and healing through your loss.
With love,
Chandler, Skyler, Crew, Bostyn, Rhett, Pam and Don.
Dear Parker Family!
My heart is shattered with the news of Brad. He was an amazing neighbor, Bishop and friend. My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. We love you guys and if you need anything, we are here for you.
Brad was a wonderful disciple of Christ. I loved being with him in Stake Meetings as we talked about and worked with the youth. He was so kind and thoughtful. He had a rich sense of humor we all enjoyed. Some of my favorite memories of him involved Girls Camp and Pioneer Trek where he was always looking for some way to serve others. Sometimes that was serving a meal or washing dishes other times it was noticing someone who needed a friend. Val, I loved watching the two of you together. The love you shared was so evident in the way he talked to you and about you. I am so sorry for the loss your family is experiencing.
Out dear Valorie and family, What a shock it was to hear of the demise of our dear friend Brad!! Your husband and father is a remarkably unique and capable person- a man of unusually high capacity and intimate love for his fellow mortals. That was demonstrated in his service to us as our bishop as we resided in the far away countries of the former Soviet Union.. We love him, and we love you, We mourn with you his untimely passing. We know that you will renew your family relationships in a loving Father's own due time and through His love for you.
Dear Val and Parker Family, we are so grateful for the time we served together in the Stake Sunday School and for Brad’s friendship and wise counsel and inspired blessing as he set apart Colleen as a full-time missionary. We are comforted with an assurance that Bad fulfilled his divinely-appointed earthly mission. We are grateful for the e-mails we shared during our mission. We send our love and gratitude to each of you!
Brad was a great guy. From law school, to trials against each other, to appearances in front of appellate courts, he was aways a gentlement and a great lawyer. I will miss him very much.
I knew Brad professionally as an attorney. You could always trust Brad to be honest and an excellent advocate for his clients.
My sincere condolences to the family and his firm at his loss. He was also just a real nice person and a good example to all litigation attorneys.
Baird
Dear Valorie & Family,
We are truly saddened with your loss. He was one of the great citizens of Utah who took the time to bless so many people who struggle & suffer -- we have a hunch he's remains blessing many souls and bringing them to our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.
Again, we express our condolences to you and your family and pray the Lord will provide his spirit when it is the toughest.
Love, Craig & Marianne Skousen Family
Val,
Our hearts and thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. We love you and Brad and want to thank you for the great influence you both have had on our lives as we lived in the Bonneville First Ward. Brad was a wonderful disciple of Jesus Christ. He lived his beliefs to the best of his ability, and was a wonderful example and friend to so many of us. You and your family are in our prayers. May God be with you and comfort you in the sure knowledge that you will be reunited again through the power and love of His Son Jesus Christ.
So sorry to learn of Brad’s passing. I had several cases with him during his career. We traveled together to a number of locations for depositions. He was an able opponent and advocate and a great fellow. Even though we were always on the opposite side of cases, we remained friendly. Condolences to his family and friends and the many who will deeply miss him.
Attended the funeral today. Inspirational talks by four impressive sons as well as a former partner. Brad was an example of courage. He will be missed. rbs
Beautiful service. Beautiful family. Beautiful man...
Valerie and Family,
We were saddened to learn of Brad’s passing. He was an unforgettable person, who influenced so many people for good. We’re grateful for Brad’s influence as a coach on our son Alex and for the good influence on Alex of time spent in the Parker home during his formative years. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
So sorry to hear about Brad. We grew up together on Vassar Drive in Boulder CO. I have a lot of good memories of of Brad in school and just being friends and neighbors. Wishing the family the best.
