John Bruce Brownlee

John Bruce Brownlee passed away peacefully on February 5, 2023 at Friendship Village in Tempe, AZ.  He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on January 18, 1936.  John was known to his family and friends as “Bruce.”  Bruce was a graduate of Manasquan High School in Manasquan, New Jersey.  He had a distinguished career in both the US Coast Guard Reserves and the US Army.  He served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970, and was awarded the Purple Heart, among other honors.  Bruce had an aptitude for teaching, both as an instructor in the US Army Signal School, and later as a Dean at Augusta Technical College in Augusta, Georgia.  He was a graduate of the Georgia Military College in Augusta. 

Bruce led a life of service.  In addition to serving his country as a career soldier, he was a Captain in the Richmond County Volunteer Fire Department in Augusta, Georgia.  He shared his construction talent by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. 

Bruce enjoyed boating, fishing, golf, water skiing, inventing things, and dancing with his wife, Else.

He is survived by three children:  Barbara Gentner Brownlee, John Kenneth Brownlee and William Brian Brownlee.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  His grandchildren are Alex Gentner, Ashley Gentner Dodson, Amanda Gentner, Jackson Brownlee, Aaron Brownlee, Airam Brownlee and Haleigh Brownlee.  His great-grandchildren are Zieden Johnson, Leilani Jones, Dexter Dodson and Elliott Schrader.

Bruce is predeceased by his beloved wife, Else Gentner Brownlee, whom he married on December 7, 1956 in Bamberg, Germany.  He is also predeceased by his son, Gert Herbert Gentner, his sister, Gail Ruth Foy, and his great grandchild, Cooper Gert Dodson. 

He will be greatly missed and always loved.