Bruce Leon James age 79, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Sunday April 30, 2023 at his home in Salt Lake City. He was born November 21, 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was a retired military veteran, serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War stationed at Malmstrom Air Force base in Montana. He spent his younger years atop a motorcycle with a group of close friends. He met the love of his life and was married in 1985.
Bruce was incredibly witty and quick to respond to anything with a hilarious one liner. He was easy to spot around town in his orange Pontiac that he got a kick out of driving. He loved classic old cars and restoring his 1963 Studebaker Hawk. His happy place was on his deck surrounded by his wisteria arbor and loud smooth jazz playing over the speakers. When he was venturing out, he could be found enjoying a car race at the Bonneville Salt Flats. He was always excited to see his granddaughter and hear about all of her adventures and activities. He loved doing home projects, especially outside and was always eager to show the most recent project or explain his next big idea.
He is survived by his wife, Jennette James, his daughter and son-in-law Susan and Roland Brailsford, his granddaughter Brylie Brailsford, and his brother Lawrence James.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Ethel La Priel James and his father Floyd James.
To honor and celebrate his life, a viewing will be held at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E. 1300 S., Salt Lake City, UT on Monday, May 8, 2023 from 2pm-4pm with a military service to follow at 4pm.