Bruce Plumlee

Bruce was born September 29, 1943, in Whittier California to Mory Arthur Plumlee and Helen Odem Plumlee. In 1947 the family returned to their hometown Dolores Colorado. Bruce spent his childhood and teen years with 2 sisters, Ramona and Maxine and brother Kenneth.

Growing up he enjoyed hunting and fishing, swimming in the freezing waters of the Dolores River as well as having a few beers and running around town raising some hell. He was active in sports, boy scouts, marching band and helping his father with different jobs he had while Bruce was growing up.

In 1964 while visiting his childhood best friend J.D. in Grand Junction he was introduced to Jo Lea fassnacht. She had just moved to town with her parents from Arizona. Within three weeks of meeting Bruce proposed. They wed on April 4, 1965, at the Galilee Baptist Church in Grand Junction. They then spent their honeymoon in Dolores.

Bruce had enlisted in the Army before they were married and by the end of their honeymoon, he began his duties. He spent many of the following years traveling for the U.S Army. He served in France, Germany, Europe and all over the United States.

Jo lea had joined him on post in Ft. Lee Virginia and on March 25, 1967, she gave birth to their first child Keith. They then moved back to Colorado to Cortez. On November 27, 1968, they welcomed their second child Theressa. He was honorably discharged from the Army in January of 1968. He then began volunteering at the fire department as a token of gratitude after suffering a fire at his own home. The family spent their years traveling to different places searching for a place to plant roots and make home.

In 1976 their search for home was over. They located back to where it all began in Grand Junction CO. They spent the next decade working and building their lives together. Jo lea became ill in 1985. She was sick and began to be concerned for her health when after 3 months her symptoms would not subside. She went to the doctor and found out at the ages of 39 and 41 they again were going to have a baby. Bruce was ecstatic while Jo lea was sad it wasn't the flu. Haha. Crystal was born just 4 days before Bruce turned 42 on September 25, 1985.

In 1985 they also welcomed their first of many grandchildren. Over the years Bruce spent most of his working life as an auto mechanic. He loved being a new father again and grandpa. He continued to enjoy camping and fishing and watched NASCAR and all Denver Bronco games.

In November 2005 their life again took an unexpected turn. After raising all of their own children and hitting retirement years they became adopted parents to granddaughter Faith Plumlee. Bruce retired and quit smoking when Faith was born. He stayed home to care for her.

He lived out the rest of his years being ornery at home with his wife and enjoying all of the babies in his family. He was diagnosed with COPD in 2008. He battled his health and had pneumonia 2017 which caused him to be on a high concentration of oxygen 24/7. He then had a stroke in 2018. He was strong however and kept trucking along and enjoyed another 5 years of life with his family.

Bruce passed away on January 3, 2023 in his home surrounded by his loving family. Bruce left behind his wife of 57 years Jo Lea Plumlee, his 4 children, Keith Plumlee, Theressa Branham, Crystal Walsh, and Faith Plumlee of Grand Junction. Bruce had 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. All of which also reside in Grand Junction.