With deep sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Brady James Southwick of Sioux Falls on Sunday, November 17, 2024. Surrounded by his loving family, Brady left us at the tender age of 9.

We invite friends and loved ones to gather for visitation on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Family members will be present to greet you from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with a heartfelt prayer service beginning at 6:00 PM at Miller Southside Chapel, located at 7400 S. Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD.

A funeral mass will honor Brady's memory at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 22, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church at 2109 S. 5th Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD. During this challenging time, we encourage all to come together in support and remembrance of a remarkable young soul.

Brady was born on July 10, 2015, to Brian Southwick and Jaime Gries in Sioux Falls, SD. He grew up in Sioux Falls with his parents, Hannah (his sister), and the five family pets: three dogs, Blitzen (Brady's Buddy), Otis (Momma's Boy), Milly (the Baby), Christopher Colomfish (A fish in case you didn't catch that) and Skitter (Hannah's leopard gecko).

Brady loved to build Legos, but they had to be 18+ and contain A LOT of pieces; otherwise, they were too easy and boring. He was a Minecraft Pro and liked playing alone or with friends, but not with Dad because he was a Noob. He loved playing Roblox while chatting with his buddies and watching YouTube videos of many kinds. He enjoyed reading "Weird but True!" books repeatedly and liked good jokes, with the exception of dad jokes. He could sniff out a dad joke as soon as it started, evoking a slap on his shaking forehead. He did not find all of them as funny as his dad did.

Brady was sensitive, caring, compassionate, and quick to help whenever asked. He was a very responsible boy who would remind his forgetful parents about getting his meds. He asked Alexa for a weather report before getting dressed for the day. Brady was a real rule follower, whether in Lego construction, playing a game, or simply following a "Mom and Dad Rule." He might even remind those around him that they needed to follow the rules, including ensuring you have washed your hands after using the restroom; whenever he was given a gift, no matter how big or small, he would ask if his sister could have one as well. It's hard for a little boy to tell his sister, "I love you," but he did this repeatedly in many different ways.

Brady was quick with his wit and loved to roast those around him. He especially loved to remind his dad that he was fat and tell his mom to put away her "Karen."  Often, he would use his squeaky, mocking "Mom voice" to repeat what she had just said. Once, Brady told a Child Life Specialist who wanted to learn how to build Lego better that he did not "find her teachable." He also asked one of his doctors if he was from the 80s because he was dressed in all brown.

Brady attended school at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary School, where he was a wonderful student and would have started in the gifted program if he had been healthy. If you had seen Brady at school, he would have probably been wearing one of his several smiley-face shirts. He had many friends among the students and staff. He loved each of his teachers through the years and received much love in return. This has left his parents eternally grateful. Una Manada! He enjoyed all his classes even though going home was always considered his favorite part of the day.

Brady's life was shortened after he was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (a soft tissue cancer) in February 2019. He was treated for two years with chemo and radiation, and it was very successful. At the completion of treatments, he showed no signs of disease. Brady had two "healthy" years where he enjoyed playing soccer and baseball and jumping on the trampoline with his sister and neighbors. It was heartbreaking when rhabdo reared its ugly head a second time in August of 2023. Chemo and radiation were used again, but sadly, his little body couldn't fight off the disease. When he passed, he was surrounded by his parents, Hannah and Blitz. Blitz had been very careful not to hurt Brady, not jumping on the bed when he came home for hospice, but gingerly jumped up to get in some good-bye licks before he passed away.

It has been said many times that Brady was such a fighter. Brady wasn't a fighter. He didn't want to fight anybody or anything. He fought because fighting was his only option. What Brady was was exceptionally tough. He was tough in ways you hope never to know about your kid. He was tough enough to go through 208 days of chemo and the proceeding countless days of feeling like garbage; he spent over 70 nights in a hospital and 68 days of radiation, which once made it impossible to eat and stole his voice for weeks. He did all of this with no complaints. He didn't like any of it and hated some parts, but still, no complaints. He was just plain tough. Not for himself. He was tough for his Mom and Dad, who he knew needed it.

Brady is survived by his parents, sister Hannah, grandparents Jim and Linda Gries, Judy Southwick, Clayton Southwick, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was loved by more people in more ways than he could ever know. He was loved every day, all the time, forever and ever, no matter what.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Almost Home Canine Rescue at https://almosthomecaninerescue.com/

where his buddy Blitz was rescued, or Voices Against Cancer at voicesagainstcancer.org, an organization based in Sioux Falls that raises funds and awareness for Pediatric Cancer and Pediatric Cancer Research.

Many thanks go to the doctors and nurses for their excellent care during the past six years and those who have prayed relentlessly for Brady.