Kevin J. Brady

June 27, 1956 – January 1, 2025

NAPERVILLE, IL- Kevin J. Brady of Naperville, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at home.

He was born June 27, 1956, in Iowa City, IA, the son of Dave and Mary Jane Brady, and raised in Bloomington, IL. He married Cindy Wilkinson in 1991. He was preceded in death by his father in 2005 and sister-in-law Julie (Blink) Brady in 2014.

Surviving are his wife Cindy, son Kyle (Ali) Brady, daughter Ali Brady, and granddaughter Vivian Brady. He is also survived by his mother Mary Jane Brady and his four brothers Brian (Sally), Pat, David (Megan), and John (Susan) along with a number of nieces and nephews who brought him great joy.

Kevin enjoyed a successful career in the insurance industry serving as a Vice President for the Arthur J. Gallagher company and its subsidiary Artex Risk Solution. He was a sought-after speaker serving as a National Faculty Member for the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. In this role, he traveled throughout the country leading educational courses and interacting with thousands of insurance professionals. His extensive travels gave him a unique knowledge of every major airport in the country, leading to him being known by family and friends as the "Airport Guy."

As much as he enjoyed serving clients and educating colleagues, he was even more passionate in his lifelong pursuit of adventure and good times. Inspired by his father's love of flying and airplanes, Kevin earned his general aviation pilot's license at the age of 15. Along with his younger brother Pat, he maintained a 1943 PT-17 Stearman and spent hours in the skies over northern and central Illinois. He was also known to dabble in skydiving when flying a perfectly good airplane wasn't enough. He loved the ocean and was an avid boater and master scuba diver, spending time on the Gulf of Mexico with his family as often as he could. When not occupied by those pursuits he enjoyed time on the golf course. In doing all this he made countless friends. He was a person who never met a stranger and could liven up any get-together by his presence.

Despite all this, Kevin was happiest surrounded by his family and close friends. He loved his extended family and spending time with his many cousins, nieces, and nephews - leading them in numerous "festivals" of good times. He was especially proud of his children, Kyle and Ali, bragging about their accomplishments and finding time to be with them and his granddaughter Vivian. He and Cindy built a great life together and he will be missed dearly by close friends and acquaintances alike.

A celebration of Kevin's life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Tamarack Golf Club in Naperville, IL.  Arrangements are being handled by Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Funeral Home in Bloomington, IL.

Big Kev never had a bad day.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Catholic High School in Bloomington, IL, or the Tuskegee Next Foundation in West Chicago, IL.

To express condolences online, please visit www.kiblerbradyruestman.com.