Bruce Chamberlain

1930 - 2017

Bruce Chamberlain

Bruce Chamberlain, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Pastor, teacher, missionary and amateur gambler culminated his earthly ministry by leaving behind many grieving family members, friends and church members who are trying to imagine a world without him.

Francis Bruce Chamberlain of Denton, Texas had his faith become sight on Wednesday, April 5, 2017. He is proceeded in death by his parents Ray and Marianne Chamberlain, sister Betty Rosentrater, and grandson Mitchell Bruce Chamberlain. He is survived by wife Marjorie Neher Chamberlain; his five children and their spouses Eddie (Dionisia), Kenny (Mary), Alan (Linda), Earl (Annette), and Cheryl (Jeff); 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Bruce was born to Ray and Marianne Chamberlain December 21, 1930. He was the second of six kids. His father was a holiness preacher and Christian socialist. His mother was a faithful Methodist and an open pacifist. Bruce was a conservative Republican and a Nazarene minister. Go figure.

He was born left-handed, colorblind, severely near sighted and dyslexic in a time that diagnosed and acknowledged none of these conditions. His handwriting was atrocious as a result of him being forced to write with his right hand. His nearsightedness and color blindness were discovered when he went to school and could not read the blackboard. He made the connection to his dyslexia when he was in his 70s and was asked to help tutor his dyslexic grandson. Dad never complained about any of this. He learned to work hard and struggle well, which he did his entire life.

He preached his first sermons in the villages of Jamaica when he was 16 years old while his family served there as missionaries. At 18 he left Jamaica to attend Bible college in California. He received his undergraduate degree from Upland in California and Master of Divinity from Western Evangelical Seminary in Oregon. He also met and married Marjorie Joan Neher. They took a church in Aurora, Oregon and lived in a remodeled 10' x 15' tool shed for the first two years of marriage. Their first and second sons were born there: Edward Bruce and Kenneth Leroy. They took a second church in Chino, California. Their third son, Alan Ray, was born there. Bruce was then called to teach Old Testament Survey and to serve as Dean of Men for Bartlesville Wesleyan College in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. It was there that their fourth son, Earl Martin, was born. Bruce also pastored the Wesleyan church in Bartlesville and made many lifetime friends while impacting the future ministries of many ministers and missionaries still serving to this day. In 1967 Bruce accepted the pastorate at Taylor Park (now Willowwood) Church of the Nazarene in Denton, Texas. It was here that Cheryl Lynne was born. Mom did not want to move anymore! Denton became home. The Chamberlain family settled here and established roots. The congregation was his extended family and the community was his mission field.

Bruce was both physically and spiritually colorblind. He needed Mom's help with his wardrobe. He also reached out to racially diverse populations in the community and organized international mission trips for youth before such things were common. All nationalities and races were welcome at Taylor Park Church of the Nazarene.

Late in his ministry he publicly confessed to a gambling addiction - he gambled on people. He believed God can change anyone, so he gave away precious time, counsel, prayer, love (and often money) to many. Sometimes he'd win. Sometimes he'd lose. At all times his wagers were Kingdom-minded. He loved his people. His congregation knew it. His family knew it.

Bruce died from complications from neck surgery that we felt was necessary because he bowed his head in prayer so many times for us kids and his extended congregation. Some of Dad's last words were instructing us that at his final service he wanted all to know that his greatest joy would be for those who did not know Jesus to come to know Him so that we could all meet again in heaven.

Dad never had nice cars, houses or clothes but he did bequeath to his kids a spiritual portfolio that seeks to honor, emulate and venerate all that he lived for and believed in. On those terms, he was the richest, most successful man any of us have ever known.

Dad's life verse was Matthew 25:21: "His Master said to him, well done good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master."

Dad's life song was "It is Well with My Soul".

Indeed.

May God be praised for all the men and women who, because of Bruce's faithful life, can one day say: "Meet you at the Eastern gate."

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 3-5PM at Willowwood Church of The Nazarene. Services will be held on Sunday April 9, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at Willowwood Church of the Nazarene.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to The Willowwood Church of the Nazarene.