Obituary of Dale Marrion Bruce

Dale Marrion Bruce Aug. 29, 1920 – Oct.17, 2012 Dale Marrion Bruce (Moyer) was born in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, Aug. 29, 1920 and passed away peacefully and quietly Oct. 17, 2012 at Hopewell House Hospice in Portland, Oregon with his family at his side. Over the years Dale has been known by many "family names" Moyer, Zeke, Handsaw, Hardhat, G'pa, Pop and Poppa, no matter the name Dale always answered with a genuine smile and a big hello. Dale was preceded in death by his Father Charles Marrion Bruce, Chief of Police in McPherson Kansas, Killed in Action on May 14, 1933 during a robbery, his mother Maude Lucille Daugherty Bruce or Grameo, his step-father George Dewey Moyer or Bampo, his older brother Charles Keith Bruce, his sister Alpha Lee (Gabrick) Bruce, his brother PFC Blaine Ray (Girod) Bruce, Killed in Action as a Paratrooper on March 16th, 1945 in the Philippines, 457th Field Artillery Battalion 11th Airborne and his great granddaughter Reilyn K Moyer. Dale is survived by his wife, Jean Milliken Bruce. His children, Blaine (Aleatha) Moyer, Moyer Bruce, Trinka (Rob) Watling. His grandchildren Aaron (Angela) Bruce and Tyson Moyer. His great grandchildren Gabriella Zoe and Clayton Crosby Bruce. Dale is also survived by a large extended family and many friends. During the 1930's Dale worked in the CCC's and then went on to work for the Forest Service in various capacities. He worked all over the Pacific Northwest until he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 from Portland, Oregon. Dale served his country during WW-2 as a proud and fierce member of L-3-8 2nd Marine Division throughout the worst of the war in the South Pacific until grievously wounded on D + 13, Jun. 28, 1944 on Saipan. Dale was honorably discharged a Corporal with two Purple Hearts on Mar. 11, 1946. In Nov. 1950 Dale was called up for Korea and went first to Philadelphia and then to Camp Lejeune. Dale was a Life Member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #1 and was active in the organization for many years; he was also a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). Dale maintained his affiliation with the 2nd Marine Division and attended reunions over the years and corresponded with some of his fellow Marines from the war. Dale was a true Hero of the Pacific Wars although he would never have called himself a hero, but all of us who knew him could see that although he was one of the kindest and gentlest men alive, underneath that kind and gentle spirit was the heart of a warrior. He was "the true Marine" always faithful and always strong in body, mind and spirit. Dale appeared in the History Channel movie World War II in HD and could be seen going over the side of LST #298 for landing with the 1st wave on Green Beach 1 on Saipan. In 1945 Dale and Jean were married in Akron Ohio and then lived in Corpus Christi Texas after the war. Dale completed his carpenter apprenticeship and then worked as a Union Carpenter in construction. In 1949 Dale moved the family to Akron Ohio where he and Jean raised their family and worked and lived until 1982. Dale worked as a contractor and owned his own company, "Moyer Construction" building and remodeling houses, gas stations, schools, churches and commercial properties throughout Northeast Ohio. Dale also provided work and training for his sons and most of their friends as they attended Manchester High School in Akron Ohio. Dale taught many young men a trade with skills and values they carried through their teen years and on into adulthood. This was back in the 1950's and 1960's so Dale's daughter didn't work as a carpenter but she had her own tool belt and learned the same values and skills that the boys learned. In 1967 Dale "retired" from private carpenter work and went to work as a carpenter at Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio. Dale retired from the Goodyear in 1981 and moved back to Portland, Oregon to join his children and grandchildren. While living in Akron Dale became active in his church and was an Elder in Canal Fulton Church of God. In 1953 Dale became active in the Masonic organizations and until his death kept in contact and has maintained his memberships. Dale entered Elliott Lodge #514 in Canal Fulton Ohio in 1953 and was elected Master in 1959. Dale entered Portage Chapter #202 in Barberton Ohio in 1961 and was Excellent High Priest in 1967. Dale entered Akron Council #80 in 1964 and was Illustrious Master in 1976. Dale became a member of Akron Commanderey #25 Knights Templars in 1964 and in 1970 became Eminent Commander. Dale was Knighted in Ohio Priory #18 Knights York Cross of Honour in 1977. Dale was an Inspection Candidate in 1968 and was Worthy Patron in 1971 at Fernleaf Chapter #22 Order of Eastern Star, Ohio. Dale has been a Life Member of Southgate Kellogg Chapter #149 Order of Eastern Star since 1984. Dale joined the Al Kader Temple Shrine in Portland on Demit from Akron Ohio in 1982. Over the years Dale has held numerous Offices in Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, Grand Commanderey Knights Templar, Royal Arch Masons and Tadmore Shrine. Dale was a Master Mason and Royal Arch Mason for over 59 years, was a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason and a life Member in the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. Dale led the Akron Commanderey Drill Team for almost 20 years and was awarded the Knights Templar Cross of Honour in 1979. Dale always had an amazing attitude, even in his last weeks in Providence Hospital, Holiday Park Skilled Nursing and finally at Hopewell House Hospice, when asked how he felt he most often said "Oh, I Feel Great!" When (60 years after his war injuries) he had to have his leg amputated he never missed a beat, he swam daily before the surgery so he could keep his strength and speed his recovery. His strong will power and positive encouragement made a huge impact on his family and friends. His positive outlook always brightened our days. He was a Hero and role model to many. His great grandkids always looked forward to seeing their G'pa he was always happy, he would share fantastic and very special stories with them and they loved to share rides in his wheelchair. Dale's sons were both Marines his number one son served in Viet Nam with the famed 1st Battalion 9th Marine's "the Walking Dead" but when talking about Marines Blaine and Bruce both would always laugh and say oh our Pop is the Marine in this family. He was and always will be our families Hero. When asked what were the most important things in his life Dale always answered immediately "my Family and my Marine Corp". He sacrificed so much losing many friends as well as his brother and for almost 70 years he felt the effects of his wounds every day of his life. All of us in his family are so grateful that he allowed us the freedom and liberty we all enjoy today, we will miss him every day for the rest of our lives. Dale's memorial will be at Willamette National Cemetery, Monday 29-Oct-2012 @ 13:00, with Color Guard arranged through the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home (Dale is being cremated as he wished) a friend Larry Hansen (Chaplin from Hopewell House Hospice) will be doing the service. Dale didn't want a big deal for a funeral, he said he had already celebrated his life day to day, but family, friends and of course any and all of our brother veterans are more than welcome to attend. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Dale's name to Legacy Hopewell House Hospice. To make your gift online, please visit www.legacyhealth.org/carechampions Questions regarding donations Please call the Office of Philanthropy at 503-415-4700 or email giving@lhs.org Service Information