White, Bruce Michael 1949-2020

WHITE, WEARMOUTH, DURKOP, CROCE, CURTIS, GRINDLE, LANGNER, PETERSON, REGEHR

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:38

Bruce Michael White
February 15, 1949 ~ June 26, 2020 (age 71)

Bruce Michael White of Knoxville, Iowa went home to his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, June 26, 2020 at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines, Iowa.

Bruce was born February 15, 1949, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of his loving parents, Junior “Whitey” and Georgia White. He spent his young life in the small town of Glenwood, Missouri where he and his three siblings had many fun adventures together.

Bruce’s family moved to Newton, Iowa when he was 9. He attended the First Christian Church in Newton with his family where he was also baptized. Growing up, Bruce enjoyed participating in many activities including Boy Scouts, wrestling, swimming, football & boxing where he competed against a National Champion overseas.

Bruce enlisted in the Army in 1969. He was to be deployed to Vietnam via Germany, but while in Germany he was injured & suffered lifelong PTSD. In 1972 Bruce married Debbie Wearmouth at the Christian Church in Kellogg, Iowa. They were blessed with two sons, Jeremy & Jamison. Bruce’s work experience included Winpower factory, plumbing, construction, OTR trucking for Judy Company in Kansas City, Missouri for 20 years & working with troubled youth at Benilde Hall in Kansas City.

Bruce made his home in Knoxville, Iowa in 1999, enjoying his family, friends & V.A. medical teams both in Knoxville & Des Moines, greeting all with, “Hi, how ya doin?” He was lovingly known by his friends as “Strawberry,” because of his red hair and ever present sunburned nose. Bruce’s lifelong passion was fishing, spending many days on a farm pond bank, Rock Creek or Red Rock, fishing for crappie, bass & catfish. He found great joy in all of God’s creation.

Bruce’s faith in God was important to him & he spoke regularly of God’s promises. His faith, having been severely tested, resulted in a life change while attending a small Baptist church in Wyoming where he recommitted his life & trust in Jesus Christ.

Bruce loved his family & especially spending time with his sons. He didn’t know a stranger. One of his health care providers referred to him as, “An extraordinary man”, which he was indeed. Bruce was our family’s, “Forrest Gump”, having an endearing nature with many challenges throughout his life. He truly was a kind & gentle soul that touched many lives. Bruce was blessed with many talents including making beautiful hand carved frames & having his amazing detailed drawings on display at the Iowa State Fair.

Those left to honor Bruce’s memory are his two dearly loved sons: Jeremy (Lori) White of Des Moines, & Jamison (Mindy) White of Nevada; precious granddaughters: Brianna (fiancé, Luke), Grace, Jaeda, & Jacelyn; great-granddaughter: Haizley Durkop; brother: Larry White of Mesa, Arizona; sisters: Gloria (Jon) Croce and Bev (Bruce) Curtis, both of Newton; sister-in-law: Mary White of North Liberty; aunt, Barbara Grindle of Ottumwa; nephews: Ron (Kathy) White, Tim (Christina) White, Mike (Anita) White, Matt (Michael) Curtis, & Mitch Curtis; nieces: Moyne White, Karen (Randy) Langner, Jyni (Ben) Peterson, & Amanda (Sam) Regehr; many cousins, great nieces & nephews, & friends.

Bruce is preceded in death by his father in 1973, his mother in 2007, & his brother, Ron White of Gibbs, Missouri in 2013.

On behalf of Bruce’s family, we send our united heartfelt thanks to the V.A. doctors, nurses & staff over the years for all their respect, kindness & care they gave to our loved one. Due to Covid-19 regulations, a memorial will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made in Bruce’s memory to the Mental Health Department for PTSD at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines, or to the Fisheries Division of the Iowa DNR.

Bruce’s family wants to encourage anyone who smokes to please quit in Bruce’s memory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bruce Michael White, please visit our floral store.

Services

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT A LATER DATE ~ The Wallace Family Funeral Home, Newton, Iowa 26 June 2020.