Bruce Michael Korri

For Bruce Michael Korri, life was about people: listening to their stories, sharing his own, and always finding an easy way to connect. He never met a stranger. With a generous spirit and a quick sense of humor, he had a gift for making everyone feel like an old friend.

Born on March 29, 1949, in Wakefield, Michigan, Bruce grew up in the close-knit community of Ewen in the Upper Peninsula, where strong family ties, friendship, and a love of the outdoors shaped his early years. He played basketball at Ewen High School and carried that competitive spirit and enthusiasm for sports throughout his life. Whether watching a game, cheering in the stands, or swapping stories afterward, he simply loved the camaraderie and excitement that sports brought to people. He also developed an early passion for skiing and spent time on the slopes whenever he could. Bruce found great joy in hunting, a lifelong tradition that began in the Upper Peninsula at camp with his father and close friends and continued later with friends in Texas.

After graduation, he attended Michigan State University before entering the U.S. Army. During his military service, Bruce began as a medical corpsman and advanced to clinical specialist, earning his LVN certification through 91 Charlie School. While stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, he met Donna Lee (Gunter), and they married in 1970 before relocating to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where they welcomed their daughter, Dawn. Bruce received an Honorable Discharge and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter Badge (M-14), and Service Bar. His time in the Army set him on the path toward a lifelong career in medicine and marked the beginning of his family life, which would always remain his greatest source of pride.

Following his service, Bruce returned to school with the support of the GI Bill. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Michigan University in 1975. After graduating from NMU, his son, Bryan, was born, and Bruce began his civilian nursing career in Marquette in the Upper Peninsula.

In 1979, Bruce and his family returned to San Antonio, Texas, the city where his path in both medicine and family life had first begun. Accepted into the master’s program at Trinity University, he balanced work and study, earning a Master’s in Healthcare Administration in 1981. During that time, he began working at Methodist Hospital, marking the start of what would become a fifteen-year period that defined his career.

As Assistant Administrator at Methodist Hospital, then a 487-bed acute care facility, Bruce provided leadership across operations, planning, and medical office management. He served as Administrative Manager for the development, construction, and leasing of the Neuro-Sciences Medical Office Building, as well as the development and construction of the Neuro-Sciences Pavilion within Methodist Hospital. His thoughtful guidance and steady hand helped expand the hospital’s capacity to deliver exceptional care and innovation for patients and physicians alike. During this time, Bruce was also active with the Shriners, finding joy in bringing smiles to others and sharing his lighthearted spirit with the community.

After his years at Methodist Hospital, Bruce’s work as a healthcare consultant expanded his reach across many communities. In 2005, he returned to bedside nursing, where he found renewed meaning in being directly engaged in patient care. True to his nature, he connected easily with those around him, listening, sharing stories, and bringing comfort to patients and colleagues alike.

That same year marked the beginning of a new chapter. As a travel nurse, Bruce combined his dedication to caregiving with his love of the journey. His work took him across the western United States, including Nevada, California, and Washington, where he cared for patients, explored mountain towns, and returned to the slopes to ski once again. During his time in Mammoth Lakes, he joined a ski club and became a familiar face on the mountain, serving as an ambassador who welcomed visitors with the same warmth and humor that defined him throughout his life. His assignments became a way to bring family together, offering a home base for his children and later his grandchildren to join him for unforgettable winters of skiing and snowboarding at Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, Mt. Baker, and Mt. Hood – and even to experience the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver together. These years were filled with independence, discovery, and the lasting friendships he built wherever he went.

In every season of life, Bruce found ways to give back and stay connected to others. Community was always at the heart of who he was. In the early 1970s, he served as a Big Brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Negaunee in the Upper Peninsula, a bond he maintained for decades. From 2001 to 2005, he served two terms as a Leon Valley City Councilman, helping guide the city’s growth with thoughtfulness and care. He was also a member of the Leon Valley Historical Society and supported the “Save the Onion House” initiative, reflecting his deep appreciation for heritage and community. In every role, whether mentor, councilman, volunteer, or nurse, Bruce led with integrity and heart.

Beyond his professional and civic life, Bruce was a devoted father and proud grandfather who cherished his family above all. He is survived by his daughter, Dawn Korri James (Joe), his son, Bryan Mark Korri, his sister, Susan Dawn Korri, and two granddaughters, Amelia Grace Korri James and Kirra Sloan Korri, the lights of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce “Bud” Matthew Korri and Gloria Jean (Carlson) Korri, and his sister, Geraldine Marie Korri. He also leaves behind many beloved relatives and friends who will remember his kindness, laughter, and love of life.

In his later years, Bruce returned to San Antonio to be near family, where he made the most of each day and faced life with quiet strength and enduring optimism. He passed on Sunday, October 5, 2025, surrounded by those who loved him. A celebration of life will be held later this fall, and he will be interred in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Haight Township in the spring of 2026, returning home to the Upper Peninsula to rest alongside his parents and sister.

He will be remembered as a devoted father, loyal friend, and compassionate caregiver whose presence brought comfort and laughter to countless lives. His was truly a life well lived, and a life well remembered.

The family of Bruce Michael Korri wishes to thank all who have shared their love, stories, and prayers. Your kindness and memories bring comfort as we celebrate a life that touched so many hearts.

At this time, a celebration of life will be held in the fall, but is not yet scheduled. Donations can be made to the charity organizations linked below, due to the Korri family having been impacted by these, and in Bruce's spirit of caring for others.