Brad L Mckeefer

Bradson Lee Tooley was born September 17, 1955, to Lester Tooley and Ina Sutherland Tooley.  His death occurred on February 18, 2025.

His name was invented by his mother, who wanted his middle name to be Lee, and not want to have his name Bradley Lee.  His father Les passed away when he was only 4, leaving his mother with four young boys to raise.

A few years after his father’s death, his mother remarried John Harvey McKeefer, who adopted the four brothers. The McKeefer family moved to Plano, Texas when Brad was very young, and he had a very happy life growing up in what used to be a small town.

Brad loved sports, camping, and his wide circle of friends.  The classmates of Plano Senior High of 1973 remain close today. He was a huge fan of Texas Longhorns football, and you could hear him yell “touchdown” whenever they scored.

On October 28, 1977, Brad married Julie Ann Senderling, and they had 47 years together as man and wife.  Their first son Nathan Lee was born January 23, 1979, and his brother Noah Bradley was born December 26, 1983.  Brad was a loving and devoted father and husband.

Brad had a successful career in the fire protection industry– working in it for close to 40 years.  He was highly respected as an expert in the field.

When Noah was six months old, the family left Texas and moved to Lakewood, Colorado and lived there for 17 years.  Brad formed countless close friendships and loved Colorado life.  The family moved back to Texas in 2001 to be near a wide extended family.

Brads favorite hobby was knife making.  He started replacing handles on existing blades and made the handles out of a variety of materials including wood, antlers, and even blue jeans.  He soon moved on to making the blades as well.  His knives were a coveted gift for his friends and family.

He was interested in a variety of subjects.  He loved watching YouTube videos of everything from building houses off the grid in Alaska to different recipes to cook ribs.

He loved to barbecue, and everything had to have some spice in it!  He was constantly trying different seasonings to add to his cooking, and none of his meals were ever eaten before “something extra” was sprinkled on it.  His sons have followed his example!

Brad leaves behind his family – Julie, Nathan and Noah.

Among the many people mourning his passing are his brothers Greg and his wife Susan, Jeff and his wife Maureen, Layne and his wife Liz, and Jay and his wife Carolyn.

His in-laws who loved him as well are Richard Senderling and his wife Cindy, Ellen Rusch and her husband Mark, Thomas Senderling, Robert Senderling and his wife Tricia, Emily Tierney and her husband Jim and Nancy Free and her husband Rickey.

He adored his many nieces and nephews – some who called him UB (Uncle Brad).  He loved spending time with them and always could make them laugh.

A celebration of his beautiful life will be planned in the near future.  He would want laughter and great memories to be shared.

Please keep his precious sons, Nathan and Noah, in your thoughts and prayers.