James "Brad" Wilson

On Monday, March 8, 2021, Dr. James Bradley Wilson, loving husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully at home at age 83.

Brad is survived by his loving wife, Cora, daughter Kati Bradley (Robert), granddaughter Renner Bradley, sister Rea Wilson, and sister-in-law Carol Wilson, many nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.

Brad was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. L. Barrick and Jean Corey Wilson, Fairway, Kan.; and two brothers, A. Bruce Wilson, Olathe; and L. Barrick Wilson Jr., Wichita.

He was born on March 5, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri, the oldest of four children. He lived in Johnson County most of his life. He joined the Missouri National Guard serving in the 205th Medical Company in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1961.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1962 and a master’s degree in psychology in 1965 from Emporia State Teachers College; and his Doctorate of Education from the University of Kansas in 1971. Brad served as a certified licensed psychologist at Tri-County Mental Health Center in North Kansas City for almost 20 years, and was in private practice from 1991-2002, focusing on child, adolescent, and families. He was also a certified compulsive gambling therapist.

Brad was intensely curious about the world and people around him and was a man of many and varied interests. As one friend stated, Brad was a man with a “bright mind and mischievous spirit and brought an interesting point of view to every conversation.”

During his life, he flew airplanes, both small craft and radio-controlled planes, appeared as the “Jolly Green Giant” in the earliest St. Patrick’s Day Parades, served as a volunteer deputy for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department; learned sign language, volunteered with Special Olympics, was an enthusiastic University of Kansas football and basketball fan; sailed small boats, rode motorcycles across the country, enjoyed photography, painting and gardening; and served as a certified barbeque judge at regional contests, including the American Royal Barbeque; and was a member of the Kansas City Uksters for several years.

Brad loved and cherished his family, his long-time close friends, and valued all the friendships he made living on Haskins Street (Post Oak Farms) and the Village Cooperative of Lenexa (which he affectionately called “The Home”).

In lieu of flowers the family request donations in honor of Brad be made to:

Kansas City Hospice House

1500 Meadowlake Parkway, Suite 200

Kansas City, MO 64114

Or

The Cardio Unit of KU Medical Center

http://https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/giving/ways-to-give/gifts-in-memory-or-honor