BRADFORD, Larry D.

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Sunday, October 18, 2009 April 23, 1946 – July 30, 2009 Larry D. Bradford arrived in Coalinga, Calif., April 23, 1946. During his lifetime, Larry set and accomplished many goals, especially those that had to do with his dual passion of motorcycles and racing. From the mid 1960s until the early 1980s, Larry was able to pursue both of his passions in a variety of ways. He first worked for the No. 1-rated motorcycle dealership in Southern California, Le Bard and Underwood, where he was factory-trained by Honda, BMW, Kawasaki, Triumph and BSA. Eventually, he was promoted to manager of the parts department. As his next challenge, he became a designer and fabricator for motorcycle accessories for a nationwide motorcycle company. During the 1990s, Larry was employed by Dabico Inc., in Costa Mesa, Calif. It was while working there that he invented a Waterproof Pit Cover lid assembly for a subsurface chamber used to service a parked aircraft. Larry was awarded a U.S. patent for this Waterproof Pit Cover in March 1997. This pit cover lid is still in use today on nearly all of the nation’s airport tarmacs. In 1999, Larry had to finally retire after having open-heart surgery. He chose Lake Havasu City, where he had been coming for years to enjoy the lake and its many activities. Larry also had an interest in people. He kept in contact with his many friends and family via the Internet and e-mail. He eventually found his high school sweetheart Jeani, who he married on Aug. 10, 2001, in Lake Havasu City. On his last day, Jeani played CDs Larry had made for her during their marriage. He quietly went to sleep the evening of July 30, 2009 listening to his favorite music at the Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas. Larry was 63 years old. Larry leaves behind his wife, Jeani; their son Shawn and his family; stepsons, Mike and Art Hall and their families; and many, many friends. Anyone wishing to make a contribution in Larry’s name could do so at any local hospice facility. Rest, my precious husband until Jehovah awakens you on His paradise earth where your heart will be whole and you will have a perfectly healthy body. You know that I miss you and love you. You have been and will always be, my best friend. Love Forever and Always, Jeani.