SPANISH FORK — Friends, family and members of the Spanish Fork business community came out to say good-bye this week to one of their fellow business owners. Bradley Ford, owner of Creative Signs and Graphics in Spanish Fork, was killed on Saturday in Garfield County. Ford was piloting a motorized parachute when a gust of wind caught the craft and caused it to crash into the ground, causing his death.

Ford and some friends were shed hunting in the Henry Mountains, where many deer and elk shed their horns, which are then gathered and either displayed or sold. No one else was hurt in the accident.

“Brad comes from a great family in our community,” said Cary Robarge, of Robarge Collision in Spanish Fork and vice president of the Spanish Fork/Salem Chamber of Commerce. “Instead of going to work at his family’s business, Mountain Country Foods, Brad chose to become an entrepreneur and did very well for himself in a short amount of time.”

Ford’s parents are Doug and Carol Ford of Spanish Fork.

Ford started his business in 1999 after his schooling as a graphic artist. He and his wife, NaTahsha, co-owned the business. The Fords’ business assisted many other business owners in the community to promote their businesses with custom logos, signs, banners and vehicle graphics.

“Brad was instrumental in helping create a new logo to help brand my business,” Robarge said. “I am really proud of the artwork and the logo he created for us. He had great knowledge and skill in the arts. But not only that, he was a great guy and a pillar in the community. Brad would help sponsor various events with the Fiesta Days and PRCA Rodeo.”

Ford’s funeral was held Wednesday with interment in the Spanish Fork Cemetery. The line of cars parked along the street in front of the church and the mass of people gathered around the grave dedication was proof that Ford was well-loved and respected by the community.

At the time of Ford’s death, he was taking pilot lessons. As a final farewell, a few helicopters and small planes flew overhead with tipped wings as fellow aviators said their good-byes during the services at the cemetery.

Ford was active in various sporting activities in high school, including softball, horse riding and roping and stayed active in multiple community events after his graduation.

“Everybody really liked him,” said Brian Ford, Brad’s brother. “He lived every day like it was his last one. Proud of him.”

“Even though I was a customer of Brad, we were also friends,” Robarge said. “He did so much for the community, so this has been a big shock. We love the Ford family.”