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Carl R. Brunson (1940-2021)

BRUNSON, CHARNOSKI

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/5/2021 at 09:24:15

Carl R. Brunson, 80, of Las Vegas, NV passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and love on February 22, 2021 after a courageous 4-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Carl was born in Davenport, Iowa on July 12, 1940 as the youngest of four children to Merrill and Mabel Brunson. He graduated from Clinton High School class of 1958 and attended one year at the University of Iowa before joining the Iowa State National Guard.
In 1963 Carl married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie J. Charnoski, together they enjoyed 57 amazing and adventure-filled years. Carl was in the Iowa National Guard, but retired as a 1st Lieutenant for a new career with Franklin Life, where he quickly excelled and was nominated for Rookie of the Year. Carl and Bonnie had 3 kids in Iowa before opportunities in the insurance field moved their family west; they spent a year in Scottsdale, AZ before settling in Las Vegas, NV in 1973.
Las Vegas was Carl's home and home base from 1973 to 2021. Carl continued to work in the insurance field for a few years after arriving until he and Bonnie opened up Brunson's Kwik Kopy which morphed over their 30+ years in business into ProForma Prestige Graphics. In between owning and operating their family business, Carl enjoyed coaching both sons in Little League baseball, Legion Baseball, and Pop Warner Football. Carl was involved in many community and civic ventures including the Las Vegas Rotary Club, and he took great pride in being a Booster for the UNLV Athletic Department. Carl was passionate about supporting student athletes being, himself, a 3-year member of the Clinton High School track, football, and swimming teams. Carl particularly enjoyed supporting and watching the UNLV Football, Basketball, and Golf teams. In addition, Carl enjoyed camping, playing golf, traveling, and spending time with his family; he was a true family man. Largely due to his support, encouragement, and motivation, Carl's 3 children all received academic scholarships (Two ROTC 4-year Scholarships and one West Point Military Academy Appointment) and they all earned advanced degrees (One Electrical Engineer, one Aeronautical Engineer, and one Physical Therapist.)
Retirement in 2005 didn't mean slowing down for Carl, he and Bonnie stepped out from behind their desks and got behind the wheel of their RV. Traveling back and forth across the United States multiple times, Carl and Bonnie used their new-found freedom-on-wheels to visit family, friends, national parks, and cities, and spent their time together traveling from one adventure to the next (and trying to avoid storms!) When they traveled to the Northwest region of the USA, they fell in love with a place called Stoneridge in Blanchard, Idaho, and it soon became their summer vacation destination. Many happy family gatherings have been enjoyed at Stoneridge.
April 2017 Carl was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. When the doctors in Las Vegas gave him 3-6 months, he said NO! With his wife and family by his side, he found the amazing Pancreatic Cancer treatment team at UCLA who gave him hope, treatment, and, most importantly, four more years of quality life. Carl proved that he was not a statistic, he lived four years post-diagnosis balancing chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, and doctors appointments with travel, family, and fun. Carl wants his legacy to be education about how to fight and beat pancreatic cancer - with PMA (Positive Mental Attitude), a strong support system (family, friends, and treatment team that is as aggressive as you want to be), and good nutrition. Carl was the ultimate Cancer Warrior!
Carl is survived by his wife, Bonnie; their three children (Kevin Brunson of Redmond, WA; Kerry Brunson of Huntsville, AL; and Michelle Brunson Tieri of Viera, FL); their five grandchildren (Jackie Brunson, Jordan Brunson, Carl John Brunson, Kiana Tieri, and Makana Tieri); and his sister, Clodene Amsler of Granby, CO.
A Celebration of Life for Carl will be held in Clinton, Iowa
on July 12, 2021 at Eagle Point Park from 1pm - 4pm.
All family and friends are invited,
please RSVP to Bonnie at bonniebrunson@icloud.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an organization close to Carl's heart,
the Pancreatic Action Network, or PanCan, at secure.pancan.org.
The Brunson family invite you to share your special memories, stories, and even photos of Carl on his online memorial at
never-gone.com, search Carl Brunson.
Published on June 26, 2021


 

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