Bruce Smith

1936 - 2020

BRUCE DOUGLAS SMITH
February 14, 1936 - December 31, 2020

On December 31, 2020, the world lost a wonderful man, Bruce Douglas Smith, who was loved and respected by all who had the pleasure of his company. He was a racing enthusiast and expert mechanic. He founded and operated Precision Motors in Oildale for 35 years, while establishing and continuing lifelong connections with customers and friends. Following his retirement, he moved to Wofford Heights where he lived until his death.

As a young man, Bruce was sought after by Porsche for his diagnostic talents and skills and, through the years, enjoyed racing throughout central and southern California and Nevada, driving open wheel Formula cars, Porsche, and Volkswagen.

His interests were many and included tennis, studying, and meeting new people and learning from them. He traveled to Kentucky to build race cars, earned his pilot's license and flew his Cessna with great enjoyment, and with his brother, Jim, caught an Oildale bank robber (also with great enjoyment).

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Chet and Sylvia Smith, his sons, Dale Bruce and David, and most recently, his beloved brother Jimmy. He is survived by his soulmate, Jeanie Harvey, his daughter, Cindie Benders, sisters Rosalie Duncan (Ronnie) and Kathy Gilmore (Darrell), granddaughters Atlanta Murphy and Claire Smith, uncle, Gordon Delano (Bonnie), many nieces and nephews, and had an especially close relationship with Dean Duncan (Donna). Also surviving him are those Bruce chose as his family: Danny Wood, whom he loved as a son, daughters Tina, Vergie, Cheryl and Carol, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and his precious chosen granddaughter, Kasie Coker, who remained at his side, faithfully, until his passing.

A special thank you to his Optimal Hospice caregivers, Dusty, Loretta, Veronica, Dawn, Kathy, Venessa, Branelle and Tom. Your tender care of Bruce and support of our family cannot be measured.

Bruce was a mentor to family and friends, surprisingly humble, a what-you-see-is what-you-get kind of man, no artifice, with a great sense of humor and always was prepared to do what was needed...and he did it. He loved his family and his dog, China, and he cherished his friends as extended family. Thank you for your visits, calls and good wishes to him. He is forever loved and will be greatly missed.

No services will be held, as was his wish. A Celebration of Life is planned later in the Spring and a notice will be placed, noting the date and time. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to Optimal Hospice.