Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical employees stand along 19th Street outside Fire Station 5 as the funeral procession for Fire Chief Mark Bradford passes by on July 31, 2018.

At the funeral service for local Fire Chief Mark Bradford, Chaplain Paul Taylor told those gathered that he wanted to speak to both the professional and personal sides of Bradford.

Bradford, 58, died Thursday in Shawnee County, according to the funeral program. Standing near Bradford’s flag-draped casket, Taylor told attendees Tuesday at the Lied Center that Bradford had two aspects, the fire chief and the man, but that one stood out more than the other.

“In the end, even though his accomplishments were many, I believe it will be his heart, humor and personal touch that will be missed the most,” Taylor said.

Attending the service were rows of uniformed fire and medical personnel and other city staff. Taylor spoke of Bradford’s 40-plus years as a firefighter and paramedic, but also of his time outside uniform. He mentioned Bradford’s dry sense of humor, his love of baseball, his sweet tooth, his years playing Santa for his nephews and nieces, how particular he was about how his lawn was cut, the care he provided his father and mother-in-law at the end of their lives.

Bradford began his career in 1977, in his hometown of Lee’s Summit, Mo. He worked for the Lee’s Summit Fire Department from 1977 until 2000. Bradford also worked as a paramedic on the LifeFlight Eagle air ambulance and was EMS program manager for the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Bradford joined Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical as deputy fire chief in February 2001 and was promoted to fire chief in November 2005, according to the city’s public affairs office. The city did not provide information regarding Bradford’s cause of death.

In addition to his firefighting career, Taylor also noted the many boards on which Bradford served. Those included the Lawrence school board, the Douglas County Red Cross and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

“That’s quite a reach for one person,” Taylor said.

Taylor said that in both spheres of his life, Bradford affected people’s lives.

“He didn’t do everything right, but I believe what he did do right should be emulated, should be embraced,” Taylor said.

Bradford is survived by his wife, Patricia, and a son, Zachary, according to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Other survivors include his brother, Doug Bradford and spouse Robin Heck, many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and other extended family.

Following the service, a funeral procession that included a fire truck and other emergency vehicles traveled from the Lied Center to Memorial Park Cemetery, 1517 E. 15th St.