San Bernardino County Obituaries

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit 
or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations 
desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain 
the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of 
the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to 
their own work.

"Big Bear Grizzly"; Monday, April 27, 2009 9:53 AM PDT

Bruce William Broughton, 72, went to be with his Lord on the morning of 
April 15, 2009. After almost a year-long fight with leukemia he is now at 
peace. He was a 21 year resident of Hesperia, Calif., and prior to that a 
30 year resident of Big Bear Lake, Calif.

Bruce was born on March 25, 1937, in Chicago, Ill., to Frederick and 
Barbara Broughton. They moved to Santa Monica, Calif., in 1947, where 
Bruce attended Santa Monica schools. During his high school years he 
was one of the charter members who started the "T Timers" car club, which 
later went nationwide. He then went on to Cal Tec to study aeronautical 
mechanics and worked for Western Airlines. He served eight years in the 
United States

Air force and was a member of the Strategic Air Command at March Air 
Force base in Riverside, Calif.

Bruce married Donna Andrest after high school and they had three children 
together. After moving to Big Bear Lake in 1959, he went to work for Jerry 
Douglas and Frank Day & Co. where he learned the underground utility 
business. He received his own contractor's license in 1962 and Broughton 
Con-struction Company was born and has been in business for 45 years.

Bruce also became a paid-call firefighter in Big Bear Lake and worked his 
way up to Captain. He served his community for 28 years, trained many 
young firefighters and was loved and respected by the entire fire service 
community. He rolled on many major fires in the Big Bear Valley and spent 
a week on the lines of the 1970 "Bear Fire."

Bruce's first marriage ended in 1970; and he later met and married his wife, 
Sandee, on April 26, 1980.

Bruce was an active member of the Big Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce; 
he was a master Mason (Big Bear Lake Masonic Lodge #617), Big Bear 
Lake Elks Lodge, and Big Bear Lake Rotary Club. He chaired the fireworks 
show for Rotary for several years and enjoyed working with all his Rotarian 
buddies on this event. Bruce sponsored and coached a Little League team 
and a men's softball team for more than 15 years.

He also founded the Annual Fire Fighter's Speedboat Races and was 
president of the Bear Valley Firemen's Assoc. for eight years. During this 
time the races became a highlight weekend of the community of Big Bear 
Valley and raised several thousand dollars each year for emergency and 
rescue equipment, along with dozens of scholarships for graduating high 
school seniors.

In 1987 Bruce and Sandee bought a home in Hesperia and were part- time 
residents of Big Bear Lake and the high desert. In 1989 they became 
permanent residents of Hesperia and became involved with different 
organizations including the Hesperia Chamber of Commerce.

While still active in his business his later years have been enjoyed with his 
wife, children and grandchildren. Bruce and Sandee traveled all over the 
world and more recently spent time with his "Cruzin' Buddies" car club and 
taking part in car shows with his two classic cars. He also loved racing his 
'86 Camaro on the El Mirage dry lake bed and traveling in their motor home 
to NASCAR races and camping.

He helped so many people during his life and will be missed by everyone 
whom he touched; his kind generous heart will be remembered by all who 
knew him.

Bruce is survived by his devoted wife, Sandee; his wonderful children, Beverly 
Ward (Dave), Whittier, Calif., William Broughton (Cindy), Ontario, Calif., Brian 
Broughton, Big Bear Lake, CA, Robin Wessman, Apple Valley, Calif., Brother, 
Ken Broughton, Eugene, Ore., grandchildren: Jason, Wendy, Christopher, 
Andrew, Shaun, David, and Apryl.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 27, 2009, at noon at Sunset Hills 
Chapel & Memorial Park; 24000 Waalew Rd. Apple Valley, Calif., with a reception 
to follow at Sunset Hills.