Bruce Edgar Colbert

Bruce Edgar Colbert (aka Codee) was born on February 4, 1942 in Indianapolis, IN to Perry Colbert & Mary Colbert Smith. He went to Glory to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on October 5, 2023. He was a fun loving and generous man who enjoyed being with family, friends, and strangers alike.

Bruce developed his love for playing basketball at a young age and continued playing throughout his adult life. He attended Crispus Attucks High School and was disappointed when busing forced him to change to Shortridge. He then joined the Air Force serving 3 of those years in Madrid, Spain, where Spanish became his second language.

After the service he moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1970 where he married his Indianapolis sweetheart, Virginia Brown (aka Ruth). He majored in Theater Arts at UCLA, graduating with a BA in 1975. Later Bruce became a respected and highly sought after Tai Chi instructor for more than 30 years which afforded him the opportunity to visit several foreign countries, including annual visits with this mentor in China.

He leaves behind his “adopted little brother”, Emmanuel Harris (Jeri) and former wife, Virginia Brown Lee, who both assisted in his care during his illness; cousins Phyllis Arnold (Jesse), Ernest Rasdall (Diane) and many other cousins; friends John smith, Chris Gibson, Benny White, Melvin Morris; neighbors Alison Ferguson and son Roderic; Aisha Goens; and many others both in Indianapolis and Southern California.

Bruce would want to express his appreciation for the concern and care provided by his caregiver, Alicia Sims; the doctors, nurses and staff at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, and Main Street Hospice.

His Military Funeral Honors service will take the place on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 10:00AM at Crown Hill National Cemetery on 42nd Street. A short memorial service will be held in the Gothic Chapel at Crown Hill Cemetery (near the old military section) on Saturday, October 28th 2023 at 1PM.