Bradley S. Elias

April 25, 1966 - March 19, 2023

Bradley S. Elias, 57, passed away on March 19, 2023 at his home in Wasilla after a long illness. Brad was born in Nome, Alaska April 25, 1966, and except for a few very early years, he lived his life in Alaska.

Those early years in Nevada and California, starting at five years old, he excelled in youth sports on football, baseball, and swimming teams. When he returned to Alaska, and starting at Wendler Middle School, he added boxing to his activities. Entering Dimond High School his focus changed to working any job to make money and old cars and trucks which he learned to maintain, a passion that would increase as he got older, and set the stage for his adult career.

Shortly after high school Brad began his North Slope well work career with Otis in 1990 on a Slickline Unit supporting well work. Brad put his mechanical aptitude to task there to increase oil output at Prudhoe Bay. He spent 33 years on the North Slope in service to Alaska’s economic development, national oil independence, and major oil companies’ stability. Brad’s excellence in well work was not a fluke, it was part of his life’s mission. He was at his best solving hard problems with good outcomes. He was unselfish with his time and knowledge, and willing to take the time to teach. At his death he was considered a Master at Slickline Operations and the associated tools. He held the position of Well Site Team Leader with Northern Solutions who has stated “that if there was a hard job to do, Brad was your man”. He leaves a legacy of hard work, dedication, and a sensitivity to the needs of others.

At a young age and continuing, Brad enjoyed outdoor life, camping, hunting, and fishing in his Alaska. He also loved vintage cars which he owned, road trips, and being with friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Hilda B. Elias of Georgia and his older sister, Sydney L. Elias of Tennessee. He is survived by his father and stepmother, Hank & Ronnie Elias of Anchorage, a younger brother, Mark Elias of Nevada, protégé Max Liston of Wasilla, and many coworkers and friends mainly from the North Slope and the Knik Bar. Brad in being cared for by Legacy Heritage Chapel Funeral Home in Wasilla, who has a web page for him at www.legacyalaska.com (check obituaries). Burial will be at Wasilla’s Sacred Heart Cemetery with a graveside ceremony sometime in May after snow melt. A celebration of life will be forthcoming. Notification of these two events will be announced later. Though Brad will not be around to share our future, his memory is to be ever with us.