Bruce N. Utley Jr.

Bruce was born to Bruce and Anne in Evansville, Indiana, on December 15th, 1950. He grew up with two siblings, Allazondra Dancingwind and the late David Utley.

When Bruce was five years old, his family relocated to Phoenix. Bruce worked as a Scottsdale Firefighter for two years after attending Coronado High School in 1969. He then joined Honeywell, spending the next 40 years in the aerospace industry.

In 1967, Bruce met Diane, who became his wife in 1974. The couple had two daughters, Sally and Sara. Bruce was a loving and devoted father and husband, always showing unconditional love and strength. He had an unending generosity that could be seen in his care for his parents, in-laws, the late Joe and Margaret Elias, his daughters (including Jeremy Kukla and Larry Stafford, his sons-in-law), grandchildren (Emma, Mia, Olivia Kukla and Zadie Van Winkle), and countless friends.

In the day, Bruce drove a white Ford Bronco and was crowned with the name "Bronco Bruce." He had an immense passion for the natural world. He took many trips to the family cabin in Forest Lakes to hunt, fish, and be out for hours on the family four-wheeler. On the not-so-adventurous side of Bronco Bruce, he was a fantastic chef in the kitchen, either cooking the most delicious meals that could feed a neighborhood or relaxing in his recliner to a John Wayne movie.

Regardless, Bruce was strong-willed and stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart and a quirky sense of humor. Bruce was generous and loyal, and his sense of style was the topic of many conversations. Bruce was known to exceed the limits of what one might expect a 73-year-old to be able to do. He will be missed dearly. We love you.