Brad Eppard was born on March 12, 1962, in Heidelberg, Germany, to parents Army Major Jackie Eppard and Carol Huyett. As an infant, Brad was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, and because his heart vessels were reversed, his doctors would say each year he lived would be a gift. Despite his mom’s careful parenting and fear for his safety, Brad beat the odds. He insisted on strengthening his physical limitation with a thirst for competitive sports. He won inspirational player awards and the respect of his leaders as a youth.

As a teenager, Brad gained one of his biggest influences, his stepfather Richard “Dick” Kelley. Brad credited Richard with laying a path forward for his life and establishing his values. Later, Brad would become a coach and mentor for middle and high school tennis players, bringing out the best in the underdogs. He frequently said he valued work ethic and heart over talent.

Later in life, he honed his guitar and mandolin skills and became known among friends and family for his impromptu jam sessions which filled homes with melody and warmth. His love for chess was equally profound, spending countless hours strategizing over the chessboard with friends, both in person and online globally, imparting not just the rules of the game but the characteristics of patience, foresight, and determination.

That competitive nature carried into what is surely one of the longest-running fantasy football leagues in the world, which just completed its 34th season. Brad was the ultimate competitor. He was graceful in losing and just a tiny bit obnoxious in winning, which he did often. He won the championship five times, more than anyone else in his league.

Brad’s greatest joy in life was his family. He married his best friend, Katy Kilroy, and together, they built a home filled with laughter, love, and two adoring dogs, who were always by his side.

He was a supportive father to his two children, Ryanne and Jessica, instilling in them the importance of compassion, integrity, and the pursuit of knowledge. One of his proudest moments came in 2019 when he held his grandson, Arlo Bradley, for the first time.

Professionally, Brad enjoyed a successful career as a chartered financial analyst, where his attention to detail and steadfast reliability earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and clients alike. He enjoyed the years he spent alongside his good friends, who kept him laughing even after he took early retirement.

Upon his diagnosis of glioblastoma in December of 2021, Brad leaned into the character he had built over years of adversity, choosing humor, kindness, and gentleness. He exuded a humble strength and fought bravely without fear of the future, simply explaining that he was on borrowed time already.

Brad leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness that will be carried on by his wife, children, grandson, siblings, Terri, Jackie, Kristy, Shawn, and niece Tricia. He is also mourned by a wide circle of friends whose lives he enriched with humor, wisdom, and genuine warmth.

A memorial service to celebrate Brad’s life was held on Thursday, June 20, at Portsmouth City Park in Portsmouth, Virginia. At his celebration of life ceremony, Brad was posthumously indoctrinated into the Coast Guard’s Chief’s Mess and made an “Honorary Chief” by the Hampton Roads Chief’s Mess.

Brad’s passion for life and his family will forever be remembered. His family hopes that when the world sees happy dogs, gentle rivers flowing, mandolins playing, and friends sharing a laugh, that they think of Brad.

Friends can honor Brad by donating to Pawfect Match Rescue, https://www.pawfectmatch.org/, or adopting a new family member. Because, according to Chief Brad Eppard, “Birds are birds, fish are fish, and dogs are people.”