Obituary for Kristi I. Bradford Kristi Irene Bradford, age 62, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods in Byron Center, Michigan. She was born on April 7, 1956 to Garth “Bud” and Monna (Lundquist) Bradford in Muskegon and resided in Ravenna. Kristi was the sole proprietor of Bud and Ray’s Transmission Service upon her father retiring.
Bud and Ray’s was established in 1965 by her father, Bud. In 1977, she told her dad that she was going to work for him, and he said “Absolutely not! ”, this was a time when women were not welcome in the automotive industry.
The next morning she arrived promptly at 8:00 am and never left the shop. She also started and owned a car detailing shop called “Kristi’s Unique Car Boutique”. Kristi had a tremendous heart for giving: she offered free oil changes for Veterans and to celebrate 51 years in business at Bud and Ray’s, she gifted 51 families complete Thanksgiving dinners, hand-delivered by her devoted technicians.
Her home-away-from home was at her cottage in Fife Lake, Michigan, where she was appointed honorary member of the Fife Lake Chamber of Commerce and founded the “Fife Lake Sisterhood” in 2002, who recently celebrated their 17th year of traditional “girls weekends”. Kristi was the ultimate party planner and hostess, throwing multiple get-togethers each year to celebrate with family and friends. When her great nieces and nephews were young, she’d plan a “Kid’s Weekend” in Fife Lake dedicated to weekends full of games, prizes, and fun.
In the winters, she’d have her family up to the cottage for the annual Fife Lake Ice Fishing Derby, where they’d dress up in costumes and decorate an ice-fishing shanty, where they became the undefeated champions of the “Best Decorated Shanty”, yet never caught a fish! For many years, Kristi and her long-time friend and work companion, Deb Pugh, took great-nieces and granddaughters on a yearly “Kentucky” trip to Indiana. Kristi had a love for travel, visiting places like New Mexico, Barbados, Alaska and Belize.
Kristi was especially proud of her team of technicians at Bud and Ray’s, Eric Davis, Chris Jarles, and newcomer… Fluffy. She always said, “I don’t have a circle of friends, I have a circus of friends”. She had a love for animals, and you could tell by all the strays that walked through her shop door.
They all had found their “forever home”. There were dogs, cats, chickens, geese, and flamingos. Survivors-her best friend and husband, Garry; two sisters-Connie “Sis” (Tom) Royle and Monica (Londy) Furlo; two brothers- Bruce (Gail) Bradford and Ray Bradford; nieces and nephews-Donnie, Lesley, Brucie (Sherri), Stefanie, Lauren (Montel), Amanda, Emily; great nieces and nephews-Nevin, Chance, Tara, RJ, Catherine, Ryan, Matthew, Madelynn, Collin, Dylan, Desmond, Jaxon, and Cora; lifelong friends-the VanGennep family and Martha Klinkner; special pets-Shelby and Monkey.
Sincere appreciation to the nurses and staff on the 4th floor of Lacks Cancer Center and caregivers at Faith Hospice for the exceptional care and support given to Kristi and her family. A Celebration of Life for Kristi will be 11 am Thursday, November 29, 2018 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St. with Pastor Pete Yoshonis officiating. VISITATION with the family will be 2-4 & 6-8 pm Wednesday, November 28, 2018 also at The Lee Chapel.
Memorial Contributions in Kristi’s name to ASPCA and Hope Lighthouse will be appreciated. Share memories with the family online at www. sytsemafh.com.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kristi I. Bradford please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation , NOV 28. 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM The Lee Chapel 6291 Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI, US, 49444 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Kristi’s Visitation begins.
Visitation , NOV 28. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM The Lee Chapel 6291 Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI, US, 49444 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Kristi’s Visitation begins. Celebration of Life , NOV 29.
11:00 AM The Lee Chapel 6291 Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI, US, 49444 Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Guaranteed delivery before Kristi’s Celebration of Life begins.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
