Bruce Allen Michels

Bruce Allen
Michels
1947 – 2020
Bruce Allen Michels of
Yuma, Arizona passed away
on Wednesday, June 17,
2020, at the age of 73. Bruce
died peacefully in his home
with his beloved wife Mary
and children by his side.
Bruce was born in South
Bend, Indiana on March 2,
1947 to father Cletus Wilford
(Bill) Michels and mother
Mary Maxine Michels. The
second of four siblings
Bruce was raised in the Owens Valley in Mazourka
Canyon where he attended Owens Valley School in
Independence, California. Bruce met his sweetheart
Mary at The Little Gateway Restaurant in Lone Pine,
California where they both worked as teens. While
raising their four daughters in the Owens Valley some
of his jobs included managing and serving locals at
Pines Café and Bar in Independence, and putting his
mechanic skills to use for Inyo County at Manzanar, Bills
Automotive in Lone Pine, and EG&G Special Projects at
China Lake Naval Base. He later transferred to Yuma
Proving Ground Army Base in Yuma, Arizona where
he spent the rest of his years, even after retirement.
Bruce's family has fond memories of him fishing with his
girls, four-wheeling with family and friends, attending
black powder Rendezvous with Mary, and his passion
gardening and tending to his yard.
Bruce was proceeded in death by his mother and
father, and two sisters Patty Michels and Martha Cook.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years Mary; children
Barbara Garcia, Tammy Daughtry and husband
Dave Daughtry, DeAnne Michels, and Loralee Mairs
and husband Doug Mairs; sister Billy Jo Michels; 16
nieces and nephews; 8 grandchildren; and 10 greatgrandchildren.
The family plans to hold a celebration of life in Lone
Pine, California in the future.