Peter Brafford

Peter James Brafford died at home on Sunday, July 9, 2017. The official cause of death is that of natural causes, but his family suspects he died in part due to a broken heart after the loss of his beloved mother, Candy Brafford, one year ago.

Peter was born on August 16, 1967, to Candy and John Brafford in Des Moines, Iowa, where he spent his early years. He attended All Saints School and Dowling High School (class of 1986). His love of performing and entertaining started very young. As a grade-schooler, he convinced the clowns in the Iowa State Fair Kool-Aid Circus to adopt him and teach him the ropes. That launched his early career as a clown, performing for libraries and birthday parties and, at a local roller-skating rink. He gradually added magic, juggling, and unicycle-riding to his many talents.

As he grew older, his love of performing combined with his love of music, and his career as the front-man in a variety of rock bands began. His life path then took him to Minnesota and California where his big personality and charm helped him succeed in a wide variety of jobs. The achievement of which he likely was most proud was founding The Wave Magazine in 1999, an entertainment and lifestyle magazine for Silicon Valley.

Peter returned to Des Moines in 2014 where he lived with his wife, Syd. He continued to love working at the Iowa State Fair, making people laugh, and very fast-moving vehicles. Peter was the kind of guy that, if you met him, you remember him. His charm, creativity, and bigger-than-life energy will be missed by many.

Peter is survived by his wife, Syd, his father, John, his three brothers, Johnny (Jennifer), Mikey (Eve), and Eddie (Kristin), his sister, Anne (Daniel), three nieces, one nephew, many cousins, his mother in law, Terry Miller, sisters in law, Amy (Jeremy), Lorrie, and Debbie, as well as countless friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Candy, uncle, Jerry, and cousin, Randy.

There will be a visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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