Rev. G. Brad Saffell joined his Lord and Savior in heaven on February 1, 2024.  Brad was born on January 2, 1937, in Afton, WY, the only child of (George) Harold Saffell and Hazel Beatrice (Creach) Saffell.  He spent his younger years living all over the state of Wyoming as the family followed Harold to various job locations with the Wyoming Highway Department, attending as many as 3 different schools in one year.  Brad graduated from Sheridan High School in 1955 and went on to attend Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho, where he met and married the love of his life, Lola M. Myers, in December, 1958.  They raised 3 children, Kent, Greg, and Sherilyn, as they pastored Nazarene churches in Yankton, SD, Powell, WY, Missoula, MT, Las Vegas, NV, El Paso, TX, Yakima, WA, Green River, WY, and Palouse, WA. Brad and Lola shared 39 years together before her death in November of 1997.  

After retiring from active ministry in 1995, Brad and Lola served at Sun Valley Indian School (Sun Valley, Arizona) before retiring and returning to his family home in Sheridan in early 1997.  Brad then worked for the Sheridan CountySchool District #2 as a bus driver, accumulating 144,000 miles driven in 8 years before retiring in 2005, and for the Rocky Mountain District Church of the Nazarene as treasurer before retiring for the fourth and final time in 2009.  In 2021, Brad moved to Gillette to be closer to family.  For the past 2 ½ years, Brad has called Cottonwood Terrace apartments home, and he enjoyed many friendships there.  

One of his favorite pastimes was camping in God’s great outdoors, and he passed that love on to his family.  In the summer of 1997, Camp Saffell was born, and every summer since all available family members have gathered together to enjoy family, food, and fun, almost always in the Big Horns.  Brad loved his family so much and cherished these annual reunions.  He particularly enjoyed riding his 4-wheeler along the mountain trails and ‘going camping’ (taking a nap). In 2010, Brad rescued an 18-month-old dapple/black & tan dachshund named Smokie, and the two became instant best friends.  He taught Smokie to ride in a basket on the 4-wheeler, and they happily roamed the mountain together.  Smokie remained Dad’s bosom buddy until the end, and he could always be found right next to his papa in the recliner or on the couch, often napping together.

Brad’s genuine kindness and thoughtfulness endeared him to all he knew, and his passing leaves a hole impossible to fill.  He always had a story to tell; some of his favorites were about his pet prairie dog, Shorty, going fishing and catching his grandmother by the nose, and putting nails behind the tires of the family car so he could change the tires!  He usually had a smart answer, too.  If asked how he was feeling, it was always “with my fingers,” or if asked how/what he was doing, “as little as I can get by with.” He often cracked himself up to the point he had a difficult time finishing a tale.

Brad had a heart for people, praying by name daily for his family, friends, and neighbors.  His deepest desire was for all who knew him to see the love of Jesus shining through him.  He leaves a legacy of touched lives, a testament to his desire to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus to those around him.

Brad is survived by his three beloved children and their equally loved spouses, son Kent (Debbie) Saffell, son Dr. Greg (Kim) Saffell, and daughter, Sherilyn (Brian) Likewise; 7 grandchildren Brad (Michelle) Saffell, Kyle (Kristiena) Saffell, Dan (Shelby) Saffell, Peter (Erika) Saffell, Katie Saffell, Christian (Jackie) Likewise, and Amanda (Jeff Sander) Likewise; and 9 great-grandchildren (Olivia, Josh, Haleigh, Kamden, Ava, Ellie, Liam, & Aiden Saffell, and Charlie Rose Sander).

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 2pm, at Gillette First Church of the Nazarene, 3010 W Four-J Road, Gillette, WY, 82718.  In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored if you would support Brad’s commitment to the sanctity of human life and consider donating to Legacy Pregnancy Center, 847 Coffeen Ave., Sheridan, WY 82801, the Women’s Resource Center, P.O. Box 2289, Gillette, WY 82717-2289, or a local crisis pregnancy center in your area. Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com.

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