Bruce Lowell Marshburn

Bruce Lowell Marshburn, 77, passed away October 26, 2025, at home surrounded by his family. Bruce was born on July 12, 1948, in Orange, California. He was a lifelong resident of California. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shellie Marshburn; son, Erinn Marshburn; and daughters, April Miller and Heather Eliason. He is also survived by his adored six grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, Lowell and Margaret Marshburn, brothers Douglas and Brian Marshburn, and sister Merridy Marshburn-Moyer.

Bruce grew up in Orange County, California, and loved roaming the surrounding hills, such as Silverado Canyon, Saddle Back, and San Juan Canyon. He was as an avid outdoorsman and passed on his love of adventure to his children. His passions included exploring the deserts, hunting, fishing, Native American culture, rocks and gems, gold mining, and history of the Old West. All of which led to extensive collections of "treasures." In addition, Bruce was an avid sports fan; baseball, football, golf, etc. Another outdoor passion of Bruce's was surfing. He spent his teen years on the beaches of Orange County. He particularly enjoyed the beaches of Balboa, where his grandparents owned a beach-front home. He told of many happy days fishing for halibut in the wee hours of the morning off the Newport Beach. Surfing the "Wedge," Dana Point, and Newport Beach in the early 1960s was a waterman's dream-no crowds and lots of sunny days. His love of surfing continued throughout his life; he weekly checked the surf reports for Orange County. Bruce's family owned many acres of citrus ranches in San Diego County and he worked lots of hot summer days for his dad and uncles on those ranches. Though ranching would not become his lifelong career, the lessons learned and the freedom of the endless groves would stay with him. In those days, San Diego was just a place he went to work for his dad; later it would become his permanent home.

Bruce graduated from Foothill High School in Tustin, California, in 1966. After which his family relocated to Escondido. He spent his post-high school years with part-time jobs and the usual teen activities. He learned to work on cars with his friends, repairing and rebuilding many vehicles over the years; this skill would serve him well his whole life. He became a Bronco enthusiast in his adult years, as well as enjoying the Score International Baja races as he neared retirement. College was not much of a draw for him, which made his draft number surface in 1969. Bruce served in the U.S. Army in Viet Nam from 1969-1971. The conflict left him, like so many others, scarred. In time, he came to terms with most of the experiences. Bruce had originally wanted to be a warrant office and fly helicopters; however, at 6'7" he was too tall (thankfully-with his adventurous nature, I'm not sure he would have returned home). After Viet Nam, he had a deep concern for the nature of military conflicts and the true costs to those who served. Yet, he remained a patriot of his country. Bruce and Shellie met the day after Bruce was discharged from the Army. Bruce was more than ready for fun after the military and Shellie was a happy co-conspirator. Marriage followed in 1972; children thereafter. We built a life together-as many did in the post-Viet Nam/1960s era-of love, grit, ingenuity, and hope. And the adventures didn't end with "I do!" We learned to make do with little, worked hard, and played harder. Lots of camping, hiking, and beach days filled weekends. Bruce worked until retirement as a cement truck driver delivering much of the concrete that built the greater San Diego County. We bought our first and only home in 1984…a small home on an acre of land. We quickly began putting our fingerprints on our castle. To the very end, Bruce LOVED his home and loved to tend to the many trees and garden. It was his sanctuary. He is embedded in every inch of our home….and our lives. Bruce was bigger than life. His ethos was rock solid. His loyalty never wavered. His honesty was absolute. He left an indelible mark on those who knew him-and those of us who were lucky enough to love him.