Verle L. "BUTCH" Brady

We are sad to announce the passing of Verle Lloyd “Butch” Brady of Rupert, Idaho on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at the age of 77. He was surrounded by many loved ones after a yearlong battle with angio sarcoma, a very rare cancer of the capillaries linked to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. He fought this cancer with everything he had and continued to get out and about and live as normal as possible until about a week and a half prior.

Butch, as he was called all of his life, was born December 30, 1944 in Rupert, Idaho to Floyd and Eula (May) Brady.

Rather than be drafted, he enlisted for Vietnam into the Air Force. Before that went through, he received a draft notice for the Marines. He said “this must be a mistake; I’m too small to be a Marine”. Back then, he was a buck thirty soaking wet. But, if you knew him at all, you’d know what he lacked in size, he made up for in attitude and strength. Once a Marine, always a Marine, he took great pride in his service to our country through his life.

He married Gayle Kifer in 1968 and had three children; Lisa, Jodie and Alan. They later divorced and he went on to spend 44 years of his life with his beloved wife, Melodee K. Ryan, a previous high school sweetheart. Four step-sons joined the Brady Bunch; Mike, Terry, Pat and Shaun Ellinger. To the surprise of the Brady Bunch kids, we learned of a sister, Allison, who was given up for adoption by Butch and Mel (Dad and Mom) before any of us came along. She was reunited with our family in 1999 and has been the bossy big sister ever since.

Butch and Gayle became friends again a few years after their divorce. Butch, Melodee and Gayle have been the greatest of friends for many years creating the best co-parenting, parental relationship anyone could ask for. Butch liked to tell people he was a polygamist and some people probably believed it. Both were by his side when he passed.

Being a fishing nut, in 1974 Butch had a hair brained idea to create a bait business, raising worms. Initially, he and his father, Floyd Brady, invested in African Red Worms. Their investment literally escaped and he decided to try again with night crawlers. They perfected the business of acquiring, caring for and selling night crawlers, supplying many fishermen throughout Idaho with the healthiest bait around. Brady Bait thrived until early 2022, when due to his failing health; Butch and Mel were left with no choice but to retire.

Butch had a “unique” sense of humor. He loved dirty jokes; disgusting jokes; cute jokes; dry humor, pranks and so on. What he loved most of all was the “shock factor”. He would do anything to drop your chin to the ground and….it was usually inappropriate.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Eula (May) Brady; Brother Melvin Brady and his son, Alan Wayne Brady last October 14th.

His absence has left many friends and family members with great heartache. He is survived by his loving wife, Melodee Brady; daughters, Allison (Kamal) Sabeh; Lisa (Paul) Oveson and Jodie (Mike) Carroll; step sons Mike (Mary), Terry, Patrick (Rhonda) and Shaun Ellinger as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren and cousins, whom he loved dearly.

The family would like to thank the army of people who’ve stood by Butch and Mel in so many ways throughout this ordeal. All of you gave them the strength and love to endure this trial.

A viewing will be held on Friday, October 14, 2022 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Hansen Mortuary. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with an additional viewing from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at the Rupert Cemetery following the funeral service.