BRUCE ALLEN BONNER

1958 - 2018

BRUCE ALLEN BONNER September 7, 1958 ~ April 4, 2018 Bruce Allen Bonner, age 59, passed from this life unexpectedly on April 4, 2018. He was born on September 7, 1958 to Mark and Kathy Bonner in Red Bluff, California. He grew up in Red Bluff and would often recount hunting and fishing trips with his dad and driving too fast in his Chevy Camaro as favorite memories. He knew then he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement, even though the life goal he listed next to his senior yearbook picture was simply "High School Graduate." He did graduate in 1976 and would later obtain his AS degree. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1977 and was assigned to Ramstein AFB in Germany as a Security Specialist. He loved the law enforcement work he did in the military and upon his honorable discharge at the rank of sergeant in 1981, was immediately hired by Pasadena Police Department and sent to the Rio Hondo College Police Academy. One year later he transferred to Red Bluff Police Department and finally, in October 1983 arrived at the job of his dreams at Redding Police Department. In his 28 years at RPD, Bruce worked as a patrol officer, K-9 handler, crime scene technician, field training officer, investigator and drug task force agent. He promoted to Corporal, then to Sergeant; supervising Patrol, the Crime Scene Unit, the Neighborhood Police Unit, Field Training Officer program and Investigations - first Property Crimes and finally Major Crimes. Although he retired in September 2011, he always loved police work and never completely left it behind. Following his "retirement," Bruce immediately became a licensed private investigator and partner in Bonner & Houston Investigations. When his first partner retired, the business evolved into iTeam Investigations where he continued to work full time with new partners until his passing. As much as Bruce loved his work, he loved his family even more. Throughout their lives, he used his leadership and organizational abilities to help coach their sports teams, serve as Cub Scout pack master and lead or served on the boards of their school parent clubs and band boosters, never missing their games or musical events. He was so proud of his 4 children and 5 grandchildren and loved the family trips we would all take together, one of the biggest being the trip the whole family took to China to adopt our youngest daughter. Bruce was well known as a generous and giving man and had a heart for helping others without a moment of hesitation. He was the husband, dad, son and friend who was always there when you needed him. Bruce was confident in where he was going after death. He made a decision in his youth to follow Jesus Christ, and through all the twists and turns of a classically imperfect life, he never let go of that hope. As life went on, it became more and more important to him to read his bible and to share with others that sense of peace that surpasses all understanding. Bruce Bonner is undoubtedly now patrolling the streets of heaven... and lacking any crimes to investigate, is at least helping in whatever way possible. Bruce is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sherryl, his mother Kathy, his step-mother Bobette, sons Mark (Jessica) and Kevin (Melissa), daughters Lindsey (Bat) and Kaitlyn, sister Barbara, grandchildren Parks, Addison, Paige, Ava and Piper, and mother-in-law Joan. A graveside service will be held at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, CA on Monday, April 30, 2018 at 12:30 p.m., with a celebration of life following at Redding Christian Fellowship, 2157 Victor Avenue at 1:30 p.m.