Bruce Brockbrader

Bruce Mikel Brockbrader, 71, passed away on April 28, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.

Bruce was born on July 3, 1951, in Jackson, Michigan to William Henry and Barbara Payne Brockbrader.  He was the middle of three boys, Billy, Bruce, and Brian.

The family moved to Ogden, Utah in 1962 where Bruce attended Lorin Farr Elementary, Central Jr. High, and Ogden High School, graduating in 1969.

Bruce joined the U.S. Navy in 1970.  He had a very prestigious career, receiving many distinguished high awards and promotions, reaching the rank of E-9, the highest Enlisted Rank in the Navy, and becoming a Command Master Chief and serving in many high-profile positions until his retirement after 32 years of Honorable Service.  He loved the Navy. He was the most patriotic person.  

Bruce met and married his best friend and soul mate, Jalene "Jo" Gardiner in January 1983. They shared 40 wonderful years together. They loved their Navy life and all the places they would get to live and the friendships made along the way. They loved that family would come to each duty station to visit.

Bruce and Jalene had one son, Jed Brockbrader, who was Bruce’s pride and joy, truly best friends. Bruce loved watching Jed play baseball from a very young age and all thru college. Bruce never missed a game or an event unless away with the Navy during Jed’s younger years. Bruce spent a lot of time traveling to Arizona to watch Jed play college baseball, sometimes staying with Jed for a month. Jed loved having him there. They enjoyed sports together and all the travel and friends made thru baseball. They talked every morning and again each night.

Bruce also has a son, Chad Brockbrader, from a previous relationship. Chad followed in his father’s footsteps, spending four years in the Navy and now resides on the East Coast.

Bruce and Jalene lived in various places while serving in the Navy. They started their Navy life in San Diego, CA at Naval Training Center. They moved to Long Beach, CA while Bruce served aboard the USS Missouri. Bruce then served with the U.S. Marines in Camp Pendleton, CA, where he served in Desert Shield. Bruce was then transferred to Washington DC to serve as a Detailer at the Navy Bureau of Personnel. Jed was born in Virginia while Bruce was stationed in Washington DC. They then made their home in Oak Harbor Washington serving with the Naval Air side with VAQ-133. Bruce was then selected as the Command Master Chief of Naval Station San Diego. He and Jalene made their home in Temecula, CA where they lived for 15 years until Bruce’s retirement out of Naval Air Station Coronado Island where he was stationed with a Helicopter Squadron.  

After retirement we moved to Mesquite, NV where we enjoyed being close to Jed in college in AZ and having Julie and Doug and Jill and Ryan and their families visit often.

When Bruce married into the Gardiner Family, he was so loved from day one, sharing a special bond with his in-laws, Richard and Jean Gardiner, his sisters-in-laws, Julie (Doug) Craner and Jill (Ryan) Johnson, who he affectionately called Big Sis and Little Sis. They considered him their brother. Bruce shared a very special bond with his nephew, Richard Hunter. He thought of him as a son. They were close from the time Richard was three! Richard could make Bruce laugh over anything. They loved going to sporting events, movies, and just hanging out. He loved that Richard and Jed were so close also and did so much together.

Bruce and his brother-in-law Ryan had such an easy, laid-back relationship spanning over the past 40 years. They were very close. They did a lot together over the years. They started each day with a cup of coffee when we were in Utah or they were visiting us. They considered themselves brothers.  

He was so loved by his nieces and their families.  Leslie and Josh Rhees, Dax, Ali, Drake, Averie, and Alivia; Jamie and Parker Winchester, Rowan, Maya, Gabby, and Lily; Morgan and Trent Steinfeldt, Memphis and Emmett. 

Bruce was the proud grandpa of Zane Brockbrader who he enjoyed talking to on the phone and watching him grow during his high school years. Granddaughter Kara and Jared Lathbury who he loved their visits to see us and the phone calls and texts and for making him the great-grandpa to Juliana. He loved watching their family grow.

He was so proud of his nephew, Mikel Brockbrader and his wife Heather, both serving their country in the U.S. Air Force.  

Bruce’s passing has left a hole in our family that will never be filled.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Jalene; son, Jed; son, Chad; father-in-law, Richard Gardiner; brother, Brian (Melinda) Brockbrader; sisters, Julie (Doug) Craner and Jill (Ryan) Johnson; nieces and nephews, Leslie (Josh) Rhees, Dax, Ali, Drake, Averie, and Alivia; Richard Hunter; Jamie (Parker) Winchester, Rowan, Maya, Gabby, and Lily; Morgan (Trent) Steinfeldt, Memphis and Emmett. Mikel (Heather) Brockbrader; grandchildren, Zane Brockbrader and Kara (Jared) Lathbury; and great-granddaughter, Julianna.  He was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, William (Billy) Brockbrader; and mother-in-law, Jean Gardiner.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 2 p.m. at  (MST) at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. where military honors will be accorded. Friends may visit with family on Saturday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (MST) at the mortuary.

At Bruce’s request there will be a Celebration of Life following the services at one of Bruce’s favorite places to gather, Ryan and Jills backyard. Address will be provided.

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