Joseph J. Joe Brady

Brady, Joseph J. “Joe”, 81, founder and president of Brady Nursery, Inc., died Sunday, March 11, 2007. Rosary, 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 14; Funeral Mass, 10:00 A.M., Thursday, March 15, both at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Joe was born September 9, 1925 to Thomas T. and Loretta C. Brady. They preceded him in death. He was also preceded by his brother, T. Terrance Brady, and sister, Margaret Brady Klaus. Survivors: Catherine, his wife of 54 years; sons and daughters-in-law, Kevin of Dallas, TX, Chris and Bev, Patrick and Terry, Michael, and Tim, all of Wichita; daughters, Cathy and Maureen, both of Wichita; grandchildren, Sara, Becky, and Steven Brady of Wichita; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Joe graduated from St. Marys Cathedral High School and was a World War II Navy veteran. After the war, he graduated from Kansas State University where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He was a leader in the horticultural industry in Wichita, a past president of the Kansas Association of Nurseryman, and for 25 years he was the host of the “GardNWise Show, a local television gardening show. Joe started his own business in 1952, and was the first nurseryman in the Wichita area to have a degree in horticulture from K.S.U. He worked aggressively to get the K.S.U. John Pair Horticulture Research Center in Wichita. Joe always felt that his K-State education was extremely valuable and thus supported the University while remaining a lifelong member of the Alumni Association. He was very active in the Boy Scouts during the years his sons were Scouts, and he felt very honored having been awarded the St. George Medal. Joes deep love of plants started with a “Victory Garden” during the war and afterwards stayed with him and lead him to pursue his degree at K.S.U. This true love of trees, plants, and beautification was evident to all who met him and inspired his children, employees, and customers (who became good friends) to see the beauty and appreciate all things in nature. His career that spanned more than 55 years was spent doing what he truly loved: teaching and beautifying South Central Kansas. From a young age, Joe also loved classical music. When he was about 16, he wrote to Ralph Vaughn Williams in England, and the famous composer wrote back thanking him for his interest in his compositions. Joe had a caring, gentle demeanor and a wonderful Irish sense of humor that came across to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues throughout the nursery industry. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, 645 N. 119th St. West, Wichita, KS 67235 or Bishop Carroll Catholic High School Building Fund, 8101 W. Central, Wichita, KS 67212. Downing Lahey Mortuary West. Rosary, 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 14, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church