Bruce Michael Vetter

January 3, 1963 – March 31, 2018

Bruce Michael Vetter, a beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend, died March 31, 2018 after a courageous and determined battle with cancer. He was 55.

Bruce was known throughout the Fresno automotive industry and beyond for his flawless paintjobs and his artistic ability to restore any vehicle to its original condition. He enjoyed a long successful career, and spent his recent years running his own shop, Body’s by Bruce, in downtown Fresno.

But he lived for his beloved wife of 15 years, Sheri, and their sons Benjamin, 14, and Nathaniel, 11. Bruce changed diapers, attended every parent-teacher conference and made sure homework was done.

His joy was coaching the boys’ sports teams, starting at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, where the boys played in the parochial soccer league, then moving to t-ball and local baseball leagues, most recently Clovis Babe Ruth. Bruce connected with the kids he coached and emphasized good sportsmanship over wins and losses. He truly enjoyed being on the soccer or baseball field with the boys and the teams he was coaching, always with that big smile of his.

Bruce graduated from Hoover High School in 1981. Shortly after high school he moved to San Diego, where he learned the art of auto body painting. Upon returning to Fresno, after finding his footing as a journeyman painter he helped open Merkel’s Auto Body in the mid-80’s. He started Body’s by Bruce in his home garage in 2000, where business grew by word-of-mouth and Haron-Jaguar sought him out to start repairing their vehicles. His business was growing so fast he would have too many cars in various stages of repair in his driveway that the city fire inspector shut him down. Bruce was very proud how they complimented his spray booth, complete with ventilation. That’s when his father helped him move to the family building at Van Ness and Monterey that had been built by his grandfather the year Bruce was born. From 1988-2000 he raced micro sprint cars at the Lemoore Raceway and Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia.

Bruce tried everything available to beat the disease, and traveled to Stanford University and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center hoping for a treatment for his unique tumor makeup. He was a strong man and often said he wanted to live long enough to ensure that his boys were on the right track in life.

Bruce and Sheri spent 28 years together. He also is survived by his mother Dora Vetter; brother Eddie Vetter; and sister Elaine Hudson. He was preceded in death by his father Bruce Vetter.

The Rosary will be at 6 pm April 11 at Boice Funeral Home. Mass will be at 10 am at Our Lady of Victory, 2838 N West Ave. Fresno, with internment at Clovis Cemetery.