Darryll Lamond Bradford

Darryll Lamond Bradford, affectionately known as “Bobe” was born October 27, 1974 to Hilda Bradford Snell and the late Johnny B. Coleman. Bobe was special and his difference was noticed by all at a young age. He was reading by the age of 2, he would share and give away his new toys to his friends that didn’t have and has always been known for helping his grandma with any and everything she needed. Bobe attended Kalamazoo Public Schools where he was a 1992 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School. Bobe has always had a thirst for knowledge and you could always catch him with a book. Bobe was baptized at Galilee Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. J. Louis Felton. He had a yearning to learn more about God and was always asking question and researching to find his answers. One of Bobe’s favorite songs was from the movie “The Fighting Temptations”, where he would sing and dance over and over again to “seems like I always fall short of being worthy, Cuz I ain't good enough but He still loves me. I ain’t no superstar the spotlight ain’t shinin on me cuz I ain’t good enough but He still loves me” Bobe’s life was built around taking care of his mother and family which he has done since the age of twelve. His first job was working for Your Better Market at the age of 12, until he was old enough to work in the corn field with the late Mr. Nate White Sr. He volunteered for the Kalamazoo Public School system at 3 different schools, over the past 10 years: Oakwood Elementary, Northglade Montessori, and Maple Street Magnet where he had just became the head football coach. He was a full time employee at Aunt Millies Bakery for the past 11 years. He had a special love for children and committed himself to helping them grow and reach their dreams. He was active in his community coaching for the Kalamazoo Vikings Rocket Football team and tutoring and mentoring students. Bobe loved bowling and often bowled a 300 with ease! He loved to golf and traveled yearly to Myrtle Beach for tournaments. Bobe always had a smile on his face and a joke or witty comeback to share, and regardless of what he may have been going through he always still had that smile. Bobe went from labor to reward suddenly on Wednesday, September 10, 2014. Darryll “Bobe” Bradford was preceded in death by his one and only daughter, Ava Krystal Bradford, father Johnny B. Colman, maternal grandparents Roosevelt and Evelyn Bradford, paternal grandparents Louis and Ossie Hobbs, great grand parents Hock and Azzetta Matthews, two uncles, Wilson C. Bradford, and Willie B. Coleman, one Aunt Lettie V. Bradford-Odom, one sister Bernice Harris and one brother LaVonne Snell Sr. He leaves to cherish his memory and to carry on his legacy His mother Hilda (Wiggin Jr.) Snell; a very special sister, Kizzy Bradford; 1 very special niece, Diamond Bradford; 2 very special nephews, Noah Bradford and Darrien “Bear” Gibson Jr.; the mother of his child and girlfriend Nikole Troxler; 5 brothers, Lonnie Ray Lumpkins, O’Dell (Stephanie) Snell, George (Melissa) Snell, Curtis (Michelle) Snell Sr. and Billy Snell Sr.; 3 sisters, Alma (Larry) Snell, Barbara (Edward) Carter and Phyllis (Wallace) Taylor; 6 aunts, Rita Snell, Delores (Curtis) Smith, Vivian (Joe) Green, Bernice Lindsey, Kate (Melvin) Evan, Dorothy Bradford, Emma (LA) Arnold Ward and Toy Floyd; 5 uncles Charles (JoAnn) Bradford, Sherwood (Cydchrissia) Bradford, Roosevelt (Emma) Sneed, Willie Arnold Sr., Arthur Ray (Linda) Bradford Sr., Amariah Bradford and Zachariah Bradford; 6 special god brothers and best friends, Ademola Ige, Calvin Harley, Tyson Brown, Arthur Norman, Anthony Murray and Quinton Brown. Also, a host of family, friends, loved ones and his beloved football team, the Maple Street Falcons.

Darryll Lamond Bradford

October 27, 1974 - September 10, 2014