Bruce Anthony Vahalik

Devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. Preceded in death by parents, George and Margaret Jean, sister Melanie Payne, brother Terry, and son Brian. Survived by his wife Janice, daughter Tami, daughter-in-law Marianne, granddaughters Amber and Jordan Teegardin, and brothers Dennis and Chad. Services and final resting place at Miramar National Cemetery March 5, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to the following organizations or one of your choice: Donate Life, American Heart and Stroke Association, or a Veteran’s Services of your choice.

Bruce started his life in Amsterdam, OH as the oldest of five to George and Margaret Jean. Surrounded by family he was brought up to work hard, respect values, and to think and stand up for yourself. As soon as he was tall enough to touch the petals he was running loose on the family farms that were overseen by his Uncle Joe and Uncle Bob. His dad was a coal miner and his mom wrangled the kids amongst serving in the community with the Catholics Woman’s Club. He was like any other small town kid that had family get togethers, your cousins were your good friends and family, played Hot Stove Baseball, and later played football in high school. He couldn’t play basketball he was too rough.

After high school, an option was college. He tried for a semester, but it just wasn’t his path at the time. So home to Amsterdam he went where he worked for Sugardale as a butcher, Joan’s Bakery, and took a turn in the Steel Mills. After still not finding his path he followed his father’s steps and joined the Service. George was in the Army Air Corp during WWII and loved being around the planes. Bruce did as well, so he enlisted in the Air Force January 1967. He spent his time at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, CA as a flight line jet mechanic. He honorably discharged in October 1972.

During Bruce’s time at Norton, his friend Norman introduced him to the love of his life, Janice Keene. It was love at first sight on both sides. It melts your heart to hear them both talk about the first time they met at the Gulf gas station where Bruce was picking up some extra hours to pay for his very first brand new car. His 1969 Chevelle Malibu in the prettiest of blues. They have their very own romance novel that lived on through the years.

Bruce and Janice were married on February 13, 1971 in San Bernardino, CA. An early morning earthquake that started the day off right. Nothing like a little rock and roll to get you moving for an afternoon ceremony. Their son, Brian, came along later that year. Bruce separated from the Air Force and went to work for RB Furniture as a driver.

In his time with RB Furniture he moved with them to San Diego to open a new store in El Cajon. Then in 1974 his daughter Tami came along. In 1975, Bruce and Jan bought their house in El Cajon and have been there ever since. It became the home they raised their children in, was the house all the friends hung out at, celebrated milestones in, nursed heartache in, and had their ups and downs in, but it will always be home.

Over the years Bruce worked with many companies and more amazing peers than can ever be named. He spent years at RB Furniture until it closed. His next major milestone was starting out as a driver for the Navy Exchange Systems and working his way up to the domestic shipping manager. When the time came for him to move on from there he ventured into other avenues of shipping and household moving by dispatching. Bruce retired around 2010 to drive his children and grandchildren crazy since he couldn’t sit still. He would spend afternoons attending his granddaughter’s sporting events and would come to the occasional game where ever his daughter was working as an Athletic Trainer. When the bug would bite him he’d roam over to visit his son at work to remind him to stop by the house once in a while and see his mom.

We’re a close family with all the family and those that have become family. Bruce will be missed more than we can express. We have a place to visit and remember and since he was a donor we know that pieces of him will continue to live on and help others. Love, Janice and Tami