Bradley Alfred Flategraff

Bradley Alfred Flategraff passed away peacefully at his home after a yearlong battle with a very aggressive form of cancer on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. Born to Alfred M. Flategraff and Maxine K. (McAllister) Flategraff on March 26,1950, Brad lived in Minnesota until 1953 when Maxine married Marvin T. Nelson and they moved to Montana. Bradley attended Montana schools in White Sulphur Springs, Geyser, Martinsdale, and Gallatin Gateway. He graduated from Bozeman Senior High, Bozeman Montana in 1968. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November 1968, attended basic training in San Diego, CA and from there traveled the world over, serving tours on the USS Regulus, the USS Midway, the USS Coral Sea, NAS Sandpoi nt, Everett WA, SOAP Team Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard, Bremerton, Washi ngton, the USS Prairie, NRD Minneapolis, MN as supply officer and Chief Master at Arms, and the USS Mars. He retired from the Navy as a Chief Storekeeper in 1990 from the USS Mars. His Navy awards included five Good Conduct Medals, Navy Commendation, Navy Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service and Meritorious Unit Citation. While on leave in Minnesota in 1973, he met Delsie Lohse, and in 1980 convinced her to follow him to Bremerton, WA. They were married May 28, 1982 in the Naval Chapel, Bremerton, WA and were blessed with two sons, Bjorn J. Flategraff and Ian D. Flategraff. After Brad's retirement in 1990, the family settled in Gallatin Gateway, MT. He loved staying at home and being 'Mr. Mom' while Delsie worked outside the home. He enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, canning, and yard work. But he didn't 'do' windows. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and being able to introduce his family to a life in Montana that he had grown up with. In 1997 he played golf for the first time with his son Bjorn, and a passion for the game was created. As soon as a golf course was open in the spring, Brad would be there and play until the courses closed for the season. He played as many different courses as he could, the most memorable being a golf getaway for a week to Arizona with Delsie and two of their best golfing buds. After the boys graduated Gallatin Gateway School and were in Bozeman High School, Brad had numerous jobs that worked with his retired schedule including Approved Auto Sales, Montana FWP, Happel's Clean Cut Meats, and found his niche at Action Lighting in Bozeman as shipping and inventory controller. Bradley is survived by: his wife, Delsie; sons Bjorn (Angela) Flategraff of Gallatin Gateway, and Ian Flategraff of Gallatin Gateway; his mother Maxine K. Nelson and step-father/ dad,Marvin T. Nelson of Gallatin Gateway; Randall A. Flategraff of Jenkins MN; Mitchell B. (Cynthia) Nelson of Gallatin Gateway; Marcyne K. (David) Kennedy of Chiloquin WA; Merry A. Nelson of Missoula, MT; Michalyn J. (Tom) Born of Cushing OK; Sue M. Davis of Colorado; Jill (Keith) Carlson of Anoka, MN,; David Flategraff of TN; Dennis Peterson of Breezy Point, MN; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by: his father Alfred M. Flategraff; paternal grandparents, Henry and Margaret Flategraff; maternal grandparents Daniel P. and Hedwig (Norberg) McAllister. At Bradley's request, no services will be held and cremation has taken place. A celebration of Brad's life will be held at a later date. 'Fair Winds and Following Seas'