Bradley Jay Norwood, 65, of Willow, Alaska, formerly of the Brainerd Lakes Area, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 8, 2026, in Deerwood, Minnesota, surrounded by close friends and family. He had returned to Minnesota earlier in the year following a diagnosis of aggressive stage four cancer, facing his final days with the same quiet determination that defined his life.

Born on October 18, 1960, in Brainerd, Minnesota, Brad was the son of Jay and LaVerna Rose Norwood. He grew up in Brainerd, where he developed a deep appreciation for hard work, family, and the natural beauty of northern Minnesota. In his years attending Brainerd High School, Brad grew in his values of practicality, perseverance, and a genuine kindness toward others.

For over two decades, Brad owned and operated Norwood Tree Moving in the Brainerd Lakes Area, a business that reflected his skill, ingenuity, and love for working with nature. He took pride in carefully transplanting trees and preserving the landscape while helping others create lasting beauty in their properties. Known for being talkative, kind, and relentlessly hardworking, Brad built strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike, always ready with a story or a helping hand.

In recent years, Brad fulfilled a longtime dream by preparing for, moving to and residing in Alaska after taking a position driving the water truck for Anchorage Sand & Gravel. In the off season during the winter, he took a job plowing snow for Denali Services. He became best friends with his boss, Steve Fanger and his family. In his spare time he embraced the rugged wilderness he cherished. He explored vast landscapes and went snowmobiling across frozen expanses.

He loved camping and enjoying the simple joy of operating his skid steer. His passion for the outdoors found perfect expression in Alaska's wild beauty. Yet through it all, his greatest joy remained time spent with his children and grandchildren, creating memories that would endure.

Having a passion to see his kids, and all children, have a relationship with Christ, Brad devoted well over a decade of his life to teaching children about Jesus in Sunday School at Heritage Church. His warm kindness and silly sense of humor helped plant seeds of faith in young hearts, reflecting his own lifelong beliefs with sincerity and love.

Brad was preceded in death by his father, Jay Norwood, and his sister, Brenda Norwood.

He is survived by his mother, LaVerna Johnston (Raymond); his sons, Samuel Norwood (Kate) and Spencer Norwood (Jona); and his beloved grandchildren, Mina Rose, Isla Marie, and Leo Bradley, who were the light of his life.

A memorial service to celebrate Brad's life will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Heritage Church in Baxter, Minnesota. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Brad's legacy lives on in the trees he moved, the friends and family he cherished, the children he taught, and the quiet strength and love for Jesus that he showed to the end. He is deeply missed and fondly remembered by so many family and friends.