Nathan Bradford Ackerman

Nathan Bradford “Brad” Ackerman passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at the age of 67. He was born in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, on October 25, 1955, to Ida Dark Ackerman and Charles Ray Ackerman.
Brad is preceded in death by his parents, Ida and Charles.
Brad is survived by his brothers, Charles Anthony “Tony” Ackerman and wife Vernita “Tish” Ackerman of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Mathew Samuel “Sam” Ackerman of Mountain Home, Arkansas; and sister, Lori Anne Ackerman Cornelius and husband John Cornelius, of Fort Myers, Florida. Brad is also survived by nieces, Cheryl Ann Ackerman Nichols, Michelle Crouch, Melissa Ackerman, Danika Cornelius, Kati Cornelius, Megan Ackerman Strobel, Emily Ackerman, Natalie Ackerman; nephew, Timothy Fanning; great-niece Hailey Strobel; and his loving partner, Nancy Titsworth.
As a child, Brad and his siblings lived in numerous locations across the United States and the Bahamas before settling back in Arkansas in the early 1960s. Motorcycles became his passion at a very young age. He and his brothers were well known in the Hardy area for various antics during their teen years. After graduating from Highland High School, Brad moved to Chicago, IL, and honed his craft of motorcycle racing and repair. He returned to the area in 1980 and opened his first bike shop in Alton, MO. Brad continued to race and enjoyed calling races for many years. Brad and Tony experienced a race of a lifetime in 2010, shortly before Brad’s first battle with cancer.
Brad had a big personality and radiated love and humor. In addition to his affinity for motorcycles, he loved to entertain. Brad started performing and writing music with one of his closest friends, Dennis Horton, in the mid-1980’s. Brad and Dennis performed a comedic radio show with the call sign “KNOT. We’re KNOT your favorite radio station” with local hit songs like “Dirty Turtles”, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Troubles”, and “Pickle Barrel Blues.” Brad also co-wrote the musical “The Blue Skies of Arkansas” about the origins of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The musical was performed annually at The Whistle Stop Theater in Mammoth Springs for many years. Brad also played the lead role in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Repertory Theatre of the Ozarks in 2007.
Brad’s humor and storytelling ability were shared by all his siblings. Brad, Tony, Sam, and Lori loved gathering and telling (and retelling) stories of their adventurous youth.
Brad was a fighter with a strong will to live. Regardless of how bad he felt, he never complained and would often say, “Well, it could be worse!” Brad was a type I diabetic from age 13, and, over the years, underwent several organ transplants and twice battled cancer.
Brad has left behind numerous family and friends that will forever miss him. He has also left behind his devoted partner, Nancy. Brad and Nancy loved motorcycles, fishing, and animals.
A memorial service for family and close friends is scheduled for June 24, 2023. The family will later travel to their former family home in Eleuthera, Bahamas, for a private memorial service at Brad’s favorite light house. The family asks that memorials be considered for the American Diabetes Association, Bikers Against Child Abuse, or an animal rescue charity.