Bradley Ryan Sommers

Bradley was inexplicably born a simple good ol’ country boy to a family of sarcastic, introverted nerds. We were never quite sure how he came to be, but we loved him both for and in spite of it. He was loving and goofy, dedicated and mischievous. Much like Tom Petty, Bradley always made a mullet look impossibly cool and was proud to love his Mama, Jesus, and America, too.

Bradley excelled in school and sports, playing football and baseball and earning the prestigious Ed Kelley Award nomination his senior year. He graduated in the top of his class as a Goldsworthy scholar and was offered a full scholarship to Alderson Broaddus College to play football but ultimately chose a different path. Bradley was also an avid hunter, fisher, bowler, and lawn care specialist, a skill of which he was quite proud.

Bradley was a proud member of the Mineral County FFA. Some of the awards he earned included Star Chapter Agribusiness Award in 2020 and Outstanding FFA member his senior year in 2021. He earned his State FFA degree in the summer of 2021 and he will be receiving his American FFA degree this November of 2023. Bradley was the 1st President of the newly formed Mineral County FFA Alumni and Supporters.

Bradley most recently drove trucks for Fairfax Materials in Scherr where he intended to remain until he turned 21 next year and could finally become a bus driver for Mineral County Schools.

Bradley never cared for riches or fame, accolades or power. He followed love and joy in such a way that he radiated it back to everyone he met. Bradley’s goals in life were simple and pure- he wanted to be a school bus driver who was a positive influence on the youth in our community. He prayed for God to grant him the opportunity to be a loving husband one day, and valued family and faith above all else. He was an exceptional soul who could have been anything he wanted, but all he wanted was to be himself. To live a full life and savor every day. To take nothing for granted.

Maybe that’s why he had to go- he had already figured life out. Or maybe God needed some quality lawn care and no one else would do. We may never know for sure. But we will surely never forget.

Sweet boy, you are your mama’s world. Your Nana’s heart. Your family’s soul. You are not truly gone for your spirit lives in everything good in this world. You’ve simply gone home.

Bradley lives on in the many lives and hearts he touched: his mother Shannon Murphy and brothers Jaiden and Kenny Sommers; father Royce Sommers and brother Dylan; sister Samantha Ballew and husband Josh; nephew Max; maternal grandparents Teresa Courtney-Lloyd and Kenny Lloyd of Blues Beach, WV; paternal grandparents Roy and Irene Sommers of Luray, VA; aunts Shelley Flaugher and husband Josh, Alissa Courtney and partner Zac Shanholtz, Gina Sommers, Renea Williams and husband Ronnie, Rachel Breeden and husband Spanky; uncle Roger Sommers; many cousins, and many friends who turned into family. Also best friend Pete, his beloved dog. Bradley was preceded in death by his grandfather, William “Kenny” Murphy Jr, uncle Ron Sommers, and godmother Julie Ruble.