James Bruce Sallee

James "Bruce" Sallee, 35-year resident of Alturas, has gone home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 13, 2025. His father was John "Johnnie" W, Green, and his mother was Louise "Marge" Smith. Bruce was also preceded in death by his sister, Linda Louise Huckeba, and survived by his brother Darryl "Kevin" Sallee.
At 7 years old, Bruce suffered from debilitating polio. Through hard work and determination, he fully recovered.
He enjoyed scuba diving in many fresh and saltwater locations.
He enlisted in the Army National Guard for New Mexico, then California, right out of high school, serving for 6 years as a communications technician.
Bruce worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a signal maintainer in the Indio and Palm Springs areas installing and repairing the gates that crossed roads in front of railroad tracks, and the railcar safety monitoring equipment too. He loved the desert and warm climates.
Bruce's son Jon, his daughter-in-law Kim, and their two sons Bruce and Ryan live in El Cajon California.
Bruce was preceded in death by his daughter Tammy, and her daughter Aurora. Tammy's living children and grandchildren are: daughter Natasha and her children Amina, Uri, and Aurora (niece to Aunt Aurora). Her only son is Vincent. Her daughter Lindsey and her children Teshawn, Brody, and Emilio. Her youngest daughter Michelle and her daughter Yesilin. Granddaughter Eternity is from Tammy's daughter Aurora.
Bruce's loving nieces and nephews from his brother and sister are too numerous to mention by name. Some of which are making a tremendous effort to come to his funeral and graveside services to show their love and support.
Bruce has led an inspiring but difficult life. He was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in 1970. He sustained permanent brain injuries causing 85% impairment to the entire right side of his body. He was tasked with learning, as a right-handed person, to do everything one handed with his left hand and do it the best he could. His commitment to a "can do" attitude even led him to drive two stick shift vehicles over an 18-year period before accepting the use of an automatic transmission vehicle.
He would like everyone to know, very few devices are made in left-handed versions making lefties' lives more difficult.
Before he was re-issued a driver's license, his only mode of transportation was a 49cc moped scooter. Bruce rode his scooter nearly 4,000 miles before he was licensed to drive a car again after his injuries and recovery.
Bruce found rewarding employment as a maintenance technician of a 125-unit apartment complex, where he was loved by many tenants in his 5 years there.
It was Bruce's dedication to freedom and accomplishment in his life that made him an inspiration to all those who knew him, especially his brother Kevin.
Bruce was a member of the Modoc County Grand Jury, member of the Modoc Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary, designated as the newborn baby photographer, volunteered as a gift shop clerk, and active member of the local gun and quad clubs.
Bruce faced monumental life challenges for 55 of his 79 years, with unmatched success against all odds. This was partially due to the love and support of many local residents. He wants all Modoc residents to know how grateful he was for all their patience and support.
When he turned 70, he chose to move in with his brother Kevin, and sister-in-law Lisa for his final 10 years in Lake Mathews, California.
A viewing will take place at Kerr Mortuary, Friday December 5, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be performed at Kerr Mortuary Chapel December 6, at 10 a.m. His final resting place will be the Alturas Cemetery next to his mother Louise "Marge" Smith with graveside interment on December 6, 2025, directly after the chapel service.
His hometown came to fame by national advertising of the Modoc Recreational Estates and Cal Pines Estates, marketed as affordable, buildable home sites.
Obituaries were especially important to Bruce. As they passed, he even paid tribute to his beloved dogs, and cat, with obituaries for each of them in the Modoc Record. We can only hope we have done justice to his memory.