In Remembrance of RFI President and leader, Brad Wilson
Bradley J. Wilson, CPP has been a member of the security industry for 40+ years, but he spent the last 39 years of his career with RFI Enterprises, Inc. based in San Jose, CA. He started as a technician and over the years served in numerous capacities from project management, system engineering, sales and operations and ultimately earned his position as President/COO. In 1996, he earned his CPP Certification and continued to stretch himself to stay on top of new technology. Brad was given the nickname, “The Keeper of the Spark”, years ago due to his unbounding love for the industry and his willingness to be a continual learner. He had matured into the role of mentor to guide the next generation of security professionals to plant roots in the industry he spent his whole career contributing on so many levels.
Family was most important to Brad. He met his beautiful wife of 36 years, Diana, at RFI. She was a drafter and as a technician, he found every excuse to be in the office trying to woo her to go out with him. He finally won her heart and they married in 1985. From their marriage they had four kids and two grandchildren: Melissa and Chris Wyant, granddaughter Ava; Nicole Wilson; Brandon and Melissa Wilson, grandson Zayden; and Matthew Wilson. He is also survived by his three siblings: Sandy, Jack, and Pam, as well as nieces, nephews, and extended family. Brad also had a very special relationship with RFI’s founder, Larry Reece, who was like a father to him and so many others within the RFI community.
Brad often said he “gathered his energy from people”. He loved going to industry events, sporting events, family events, and even Costco, where he loved the sport of dodging people and carts! He just loved being around people. God, in turn, used him to reflect the energy he gathered back to everyone he met. He was intentional when he provided positive encouragement and expressed genuine gratitude to those around him. He was a man of integrity, honesty, and compassion for others.
Brad’s battle with liver cancer was a battle he didn’t know he was fighting. He spent the last half of 2021; “just not feeling right”, he attributed it to something he ate, not getting enough sleep, or maybe stress. His trips to the doctor and blood tests didn’t identify the true cause of his discomfort. By Christmas, he had begun to turn jaundice and the blood tests started to show a cause for concern. Once he was admitted to the hospital, it was very quickly determined he had an aggressive liver cancer and there was a blockage in his bile duct.
While there are times we feel a certain amount of mercy that Brad’s known battle was extremely short, passing only eight days form the time he learned his diagnosis; there is a huge void and a deep sadness we couldn’t say good-bye. There is comfort in how Brad lived his life. He didn’t leave words unsaid. He lifted us up and encouraged us daily.
To continue to honor Brad’s name, the family is asking for donations to the American Liver Foundation.
