ABOUT BRAD
Bradley James Dillahunty was born on a rainy Monday morning at exactly 8 a.m. As the saying goes—Monday’s child is fair of face and he certainly was. He was born in Beaumont, Texas where his father was born and raised. He arrived almost three weeks early, weighing in at 6lbs. and 5oz.
We moved to Southern California when Bradley was 3.
Bradley was a very easygoing child. We never knew what it was like to have a child who was demanding, disruptive and screaming for attention! He made being a parent easy! People were always complementing us on how well behaved he was, and while there certainly were boundaries at home, we really did nothing special because we didn’t’ have to! He was always full of smiles and a great joy to have around.
Sports and activity filled his life from the beginning…
Very early on he was eager to be a part of the outdoor world. He began snow skiing at the age of 2. His dad would ski with him between his legs and it was an adorable sight! By the age of 8 he was skiing black runs at Mammoth Mountain. When he asked to have a snowboard we said why not! He loved snowboarding anywhere and everywhere, but Mammoth Mountain and the snowboard park was his favorite place to be.
By the age of 3 he was on horseback. He began with the eastern riding tradition, but moved on to western saddle by the age of 7. He rode every summer up in the Santa Ynez Valley in California where his grandparents lived. He took lessons in San Juan Capistrano and rode all the time (he considered barrel racing) until football took over in his freshman year of high school.
When he was 8 years old he began taking karate lessons. He was a black belt by the time he was a sophomore in high school and once again, football took over and time did not permit him to continue with karate. The year he passed away he went back to his roots in karate, and he was once again united with the passion he had when he was younger.
When Brad was in 6th grade he signed up for Pop Warner football. He was a Saddleback Valley Gold Bear for 3 years straight and loved his time with the league. As high school drew near his number one concern was playing football. He chose Santa Margarita Catholic High School and played football under coach Hartigan. His career in high school football was outstanding and he earned the title of Captain, First Team All League, Player of the Game 3 times, and the Highest GPA running for four years. He also had League/County recognition for his GPA, and Power Eagle and Speed Eagle awards.
(Please go to the Football Award page to see more about Brad and football) There is a reason there is an award in his name every year for the player who demonstrates like qualities!
It was his love of football that sent him back to coach the Santa Margarita Eagles Football team.
Brad grew up attending private Catholic schools. His elementary and middle school years were spent at The Mission School in San Juan Capistrano at the old Mission. It is a school that is more than 100 years old. The school was a very special place, and the friendships he made there were life long. However, during his sixth grade year, shortly after football ended, we moved to Mexico City. He attended the International School Foundation there and loved the adventure! It was a one year experience he said changed his view of the world and especially travel.
As football became his life in high school he always found time for his guitar. He was 13 when he started playing. He asked me if I had ever heard of anyone by the name of Stevie Ray Vaughn. I smiled and said of course I did! (After all his father and I met at The University of Texas at Austin where we went to college.) I made a deal with Brad that he would get a new guitar and lessons, but only if he stuck with the lessons for at least one year. He agreed.
Of course, the rest is history! What a gifted musician he was! He found the time with his honor classes, (Yes, Brad was a great student – always making the best grades and in the top of his class) and football to pursue his love of the guitar and excel at playing. He started with a Fender Stratocaster, and moved to a custom Strat, and Telecaster that he was very proud of! He was always playing his acoustic Koa wood Taylor for me. (mom) He knew I loved Jack Johnson and would sing and play for me all the time. I cannot begin to express how much I miss him playing…
He worked all summer the year before he passed to buy his Les Paul guitar and his professional amp. I can still hear myself telling him to turn that amp down! Sometimes I would hear him playing a couple of houses away when I was coming home. If he were here I would tell him to turn it up! He was a Blues Man all the way! Most of us who knew him felt he belonged on a stage somewhere!
His love for music and football were always at the top of his list. He was a loyal Santa Margarita Eagle fan, Greenbay Packer fan, and of course The Texas Longhorns. As a family we traveled to all of the venues and had a blast chasing football! He chose to attend the University of Texas at Austin because not only was it a great University, but he could see all the Longhorn games! He loved coaching for the Santa Margarita Eagles, and looked forward to going back each fall.
To talk about Brad you must also talk about his great group of friends. He was a loyal friend and loved each and every one of you. Most of you who grew up with Brad were at our house a lot over the years. We thought of all of you as ‘family’. Your support and outrage over Brad’s passing has meant the world to us, and I know he would have done the same for each of you…
(Please see Brad’s Life List to see Who has done what!)
To sum up Brad’s life in so few words is very difficult. What I would tell you if you didn’t know him was that he was a very funny guy! Always laughing and joking! He was a happy person, and his laugh was contagious! He had a big bright white smile that you couldn’t help but notice. He was kind and was truly a sweet person. He was a guys guy and a girls guy!
He was a leader among his friends and we know how much you all miss him.
Brad was an only child, an only grandchild, and an only nephew. He was the last one to carry on the name of Dillahunty. He was good at everything he ever put his mind to, and it showed.
He left us far too early. We miss you more than you could ever imagine. You will never leave our hearts!
Bradley James Dillahunty September 19th, 1983 – June 6th, 2008