TACOMA, Wash. -- First Lt. Brian Bradshaw of Tacoma was killed in action in Afghanistan on Saturday, June 25, 2009.

He was born at Madigan Army Medical Center on Oct. 8, 1984, to Paul and Mary (Gillis) Bradshaw.

After Steilacoom and Visitation schools, Brian attended Bellarmine High School and then graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2007. His community service started with participation in the March of Dimes and continued with Pierce County Search and Rescue, as leader and counselor at CYO camps, as well as many other community projects.

Love of backcountry sports and activities led him through the ROTC program and into the U.S. Army. Having completed airborne training, Bradshaw received infantry officer training and earned his Ranger qualification at Fort Benning, Ga. His service to his country continued at Fort Richardson, Alaska, and in Afghanistan.

Survivors include his parents, Paul and Mary Bradshaw; his brother, Robert Bradshaw; his grandmothers, Nancy Gillis of Hudson, Mass., and Virginia Bradshaw of Parsons; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Charles Bradshaw and John Gillis; his aunt, Cathy Gillis; and an uncle, John Bradshaw.

His many friends, his love of others and his sense of humor lead us to a celebration of Brian's life on Sunday afternoon. A Mass of Christian Burial and reception will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. John Bosco Church in Lakewood. Burial will be at Tahoma National Cemetery.

The family requests memorials be made in Brian's name to either Pacific Lutheran University or to CYO Camps through Saint John Bosco Church.