Bradford Lee Grissom
In Loving Memory
Bradford Lee Grissom, Jr., known to friends and family as Bad Brad and B-Rad, crossed the finish line of life's grand race on June 12, 2023. Born on July 31, 1968, in Indianapolis, IN, Brad was a man whose sense of humor was as full-throttle as his passion for motorsports racing.
Brad's life was an open road, paved with adventure, analytical prowess, and an unyielding optimism that could make even a flat tire seem like an opportunity for a pit stop party.
After studying architecture and engineering at Vincennes University, he channeled his precision and creativity into a successful career in sales and marketing, where he became a pivotal part of the teams at Kenny Brown Performance and JMS Chip.
At work, Brad was known for his ability to draft behind a problem and slingshot to a solution with the finesse of a seasoned racecar driver. His colleagues often joked that if Brad were any more efficient, they'd have to start calling him "The Machine." But despite his robotic efficiency, Brad's heart was anything but mechanical.
Outside the office, Brad's life revolved around his family and his passions. His wife, Kathy Browning, was his co-pilot in life, navigating the twists and turns of their journey together with grace and laughter. His stepdaughter, Kelsey Johnson, and her husband, Denver, added horsepower to his happiness, while his grandson, Diesel, was the turbo boost in his days, reminding him that every moment is a lap worth enjoying.
Brad's pit crew was never complete without his mother, Betty Grissom, and his father, Brad Grissom, Sr., who instilled in him the values of hard work and the importance of a well-timed joke. His brother, Doug Hendricks, shared a familial bond that was discovered only a few short years before Brad's death. Although these brothers didn't meet until much later in life, it was ironic the similarities they shared and the genetics could not be denied.
Brad's love for motorsports was more than a hobby; it was a testament to his belief that life, much like racing, is about the journey and the joy found on the track. His infectious enthusiasm for the sport was a reminder to all who knew him that the race isn't always about coming in first, but in making sure you enjoy the ride.
In the great road race of life, Brad was a man who always knew when to shift gears and when to hit the gas. He approached his days with the understanding that every green light was an invitation to accelerate with purpose and every red light an opportunity to rev his engine with anticipation.
Those who knew Brad will remember him as a man who could calculate the exact aerodynamic coefficient of a car, yet still believe that the best way to measure a vehicle's potential was by the breadth of the grin it put on your face. His legacy is not just in the blueprints he left behind but in the laughter that echoes in the hearts of those who loved him.
As we say our final "see you at the finish line" to Bradford Lee Grissom, Jr., let us shift our sadness into neutral and remember the joy he brought into our lives. For in the grand prix of existence, Brad was our pole-sitter, a man whose life was a testament to the beauty of the race and the spirit of the racer. Rev on, Brad. Rev on.