Bruce Bybee

Bruce Earl Bybee

March 22, 1946 ~ September 27, 2015

Bruce Earl Bybee, 69, returned to his Father in Heaven on September 27, 2015, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Ogden, Utah, from lung cancer.

Bruce was born on March 22, 1946, to Grant Grix and Mary Ellen Taylor Bybee in Ogden, Utah.

He lived in the Uintah area for most of his life.  He graduated from Bonneville High School in 1964.

On December 2, 1966, he married Susan Oram in Ogden, Utah; the marriage was later solemnized in the Ogden LDS Temple.  They had two daughters, Suzette and Andria.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Shadow Mountain Ward.

A Veteran, Bruce served 11 years in the US Marines and Reserves.  In 2002 Bruce retired from the Federal Government.  During his 38 year career in the Civil Service he worked for Hill Air Force Base, Internal Revenue Service, General Service Administration, Defense Depot, Forest Service, and the Federal Aviation Administration.  After retirement he worked for the Davis County Women’s Shelter.

It was always believed that he taught MacGyver everything he knew; he had an uncanny ability to fix anything.  Bruce was an exceptional craftsman, building his family home and helping others to do the same.  With a great love for the outdoors he spent much of his life riding motorcycles, camping, fishing, hunting, trapping, and making the most delicious dutch oven dishes.  He especially loved doing these things with his family and friends.  Bruce was known as a great Mountain Man attending many Rendezvous, conducting award ceremonies for the Boy Scouts, and doing presentations for local schools; astonishing his audiences with his black powder rifles and great stories.  As a survivalist, he took his two daughters out and taught them how to dig snow caves, find water in the desert, set traps and hunt, and eat cactus.  With a passion for guns he loved participating in Cowboy Action Shooting tournaments.  He loved volunteering at Ogden’s Union Station, especially in the Browning Museum, and thoroughly enjoyed talking with patrons and sharing stories.  Additionally he served for many years as the President of the Conductor’s Association; forming great friendships with the Conductors.  He was a master story teller with an extraordinary sense of humor that could get a smile out of nearly everyone.  He was also a Master Gardener in Davis County; growing and sharing his knowledge about native Utah plants.  For many years, Bruce was a volunteer firefighter for Uintah City.  Even though he could have a tough as nails exterior, he was always willing to help out other people; whether it be a stranger or a neighbor, it didn’t matter, he was there.  Bruce was very dedicated to his family and friends.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Sue, Ogden, UT; two daughters, Suzette Bybee (LeRoy Brown), Washington Terrace, UT and Andria (Daniel) Hoyle, South Ogden, UT; four grandsons, Kendrick Brown, Cody Brown, Rylee Berglund, and Tyler Hoyle; his father, Grant (Lucille) Bybee; two siblings, Grant Lynn (Merlene) Bybee and Mary Ellen “Maggie” (Ronald “Butch”) Stratford; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ellen Taylor Bybee.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Shadow Mountain Ward, 5191 Old Post Rd., Ogden.  Friends may visit with family on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Interment, Uintah Cemetery, 1504 East 6400 South. Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary.

The family would like to express their gratitude for loving caretakers from Encompass Hospice and especially to Danny for her kind loving care.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest that donations can be made to the Ogden Union Station’s Volunteers, in care of Becky Cardwell.