Bradley W. DeJarlais

Bradley Warren DeJarlais, age 61, passed away Tuesday Feb.9th @ McLaren Bay Medical Center following surgery. He was born January 17, 1955 at Thompsons Maternity Home in Harrisville to Ladd & Jean DeJarlais. He is survived by his son, Logan James of Detroit, his daughter Haley Jo(Mike Nielson)of Orlando, Florida, his mother, Jean DeJarlais of Harrisville, two sisters, Ava Budreau (Perry) of Lincoln & Denise Lee(Wayne) of Oscoda, & three nephews, Andy Budreau(Dawn Cooper) of Harrisville, Bryan Budreau(Jenna) of Eureka, Missouri, and Daren Lee(Jessie Barkley) of Harrisville. He was preceded in death by his father, Ladd in 1993. Brad was very much a free spirit who worked his way across the U.S. traveling by motorcycle back in the 70’s. He lived and worked a number of years near Denver, Colorado where he met & married Michele Ayers, also a Michigan native & the mother of his two precious children. They moved back to Michigan where among other things, he had his own tree trimming business, the Tree Doctor. He worked many jobs over the years, starting out as a teen at the Alcona Co. Review in Harrisville, then in restaurants, coffee shops, and linesman for power companies. He enjoyed playing drums in the band, was involved with 97.9 FM WXTF in Harrisville, where he could be heard on air, and also volunteered with the Harrisville Institute for Cultural Learning. He was particularly gifted at photography and had a great memory for people, places & events. Brad had the greatest smile, was a superb story teller, an avid reader, a lover of music, and a true child of nature – raising numerous orphaned baby animals. He loved walking thru the woods and along the beaches of Lake Huron. He had several VERY dear close friends (you know who you are) and was the greatest father to his two children. A memorial celebration of his life will be held this summer (hopefully 4th of July weekend at Haynes Hall), specifics to be announced later on. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bradley W. DeJarlais, please visit our flower store.