Our Founder: Dick Brady

Dick Brady passed away recently at home peacefully, surrounded by family and friends in Canon City, July 1, 2023. He was 92 years old.

Dick Brady was born to Horace and Rebecca (Grose) Brady in Salida, CO. He came from a family of 9. Graduating from Cotopaxi High School in 1949, he was the captain of the basketball team at a towering 6’. Dick married Rhoda I. (Squire) Brady on November 2, 1961; 62 years of wonderful marriage would follow. What then was the dozen “D’s.” Twelve children whose names all start with the letter D: Dennis (Nancy) Brady, Danny (Deceased), (Lanell) Brady, Deborah (Brent) Wallace, Delwin (Robyn) Brady, Derald Brady and Laura Muth, Donna (Gareld) Pratt, Dean (Angela) Brady, Darren Brady, Darwin (Robyn) Brady, Diana (Anthony) Armstrong, Darlene (J.P.) Nordstrom, Derick (Chris) Brady. Dick has 28 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Danny and granddaughter Ashley.

Dick Brady had a long successful career in the nursery business. Brady’s Evergreen Nursery was not large, but he was a giant in the industry, starting humbly collecting (digging) Aspen, Pinion, Ponderosa, and Spruce, mainly in Custer and Saguache County. In 1970, he moved the nursery from Westcliffe to Canon City. He was the president of CNA (Colorado Nurseryman’s Association), for many years, and is a lifetime member. Dick also served on the South Canon Ditch Board and was president for many years.

When he retired, he found his second passion (besides wife and family), trap shooting. Spending most of his time shooting, reloading shells, and operating Pueblo Trap & Skeet Club, also being President and instructing 4-H Shooting Sports. He is an American story. Dick Brady was honorable, honest, humble, and huge to a lot of people. You got Dick the first time and every time. Consider yourself lucky to have met him. The last thing that went through his mind was “pull!”

Please think of him the next time you fish, hunt, shoot or plant a tree. Thank you to Sangre De Cristo Hospice and all of the people who helped send Dick Brady home. He will be greatly missed by his enormous family and many, many friends.

Original version of this obituary was published by The Canon City Daily Record from Jul. 6 to Jul. 8, 2023.