Bruce Patrick Conlon

Husband, father and grandfather, Bruce Patrick Conlon of Dallas, Texas went to live with his Lord and Savior on December 16, 2022, after a year’s illness of multiple myeloma, resulting in a heart attack just after beginning his cancer treatment.  Close by were his family, wife Virginia “Ginny” Conlon, sons Dan (Cliff) Conlon, son Thomas Conlon, and mother-in-law Chrystie Bertramson Jackson.  Before his passing, he cared for his wife until his very end, getting her life saving treatment on December 2, 2022, which resulted in her being diagnosed with a very serious case of cellulitis and sepsis.

Bruce was born on January 17, 1938, in Minot, North Dakota.  He was the son of William and Ella (Rossmiller) Conlon.

Bruce was always a very hard worker, even as a child.  At the age of nine, in the frigid climate of North Dakota, he rode his bike delivering newspapers to many homes.  Since his father travelled during the week, Bruce oversaw stoking the coal furnace, especially when a clinker stopped heat from warming his home.  His father had a major heart attack when Bruce was seven years old.  His mother then found a job, leaving Bruce on his own when he had rheumatic fever.  Bruce’s father died when he was just twelve years old.  His sister Dolores, being eight years older, was already in nursing school.  Bruce often spent summers at his uncle’s farm in North Dakota with his cousin.  However, as soon as the two boys were old enough, they were transferred from child’s play to plowing tractors in the field.  At fourteen, Bruce and his mother drove to Wisconsin to live, as his mother, Ella, had several siblings there.  Bruce attended Sheboygan Falls High School in Wisconsin and graduated in 1956.  He and two friends, (all three Explorer Scouts), planned and saved money for an adventure out West.  They bought a used 1942 Packard hearse, which they outfitted with camping equipment, food and fishing gear.  It was an awesome adventure for him that he told with such fond memories.

After high school, Bruce was accepted to the U.S. Air Force and attended the Aviation Cadet Pre-Flight School.  Due to some color blindness, Bruce could not fulfill his desire to be an Air Force pilot.  Bruce served in the Reserves until January 1965 when he was given an honorable discharge.

Bruce then went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1963 with a Bachelor’s in Sociology.  He also studied at the graduate level from 1963-1964.  At the university, Bruce worked as a research assistant and as a computer programmer.  The computer he worked on was large enough to fill a huge room at the university – my how things have changed.

It was there at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he met Virginia Jackson.  They were introduced through his roommates’ girlfriend.  On their first date, a blind one, they went to a movie and had dinner at the Dog and Poodle.  A year and a half later they wed on August 31, 1963, at the First Congregational Church in Madison, officiated by Gale Wolf.

Bruce worked for Kaiser Aluminum from 1964 until his retirement in 2000.  During this time, he worked at many promotional levels, retiring as a Vice President.  He took his family to live in seven different states, mostly in the Midwest.

Bruce enjoyed playing golf and tennis with friends and family.  He loved to travel, especially on trips to Europe and throughout the United States.  He was a dedicated driver to all of his family, especially enjoying many memorable trips to Disney World over the years.  Hiking and camping were also part of his favorite outings with his family.  During the Winter months, Bruce enjoyed downhill skiing, trail skiing and snowshoeing in Colorado.  He even tried snowmobiling.  He truly treasured nature and all it had to offer.  He also helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity.

Bruce participated in many organizations, both political as well as church, in the community, leading several as chair, president, treasurer, Elder Deacon and numerous other positions.

Some of the many loving traits remembered about Bruce by loved ones are:  humorous, kind, generous, youthful, fair, thoughtful, sensitive and loving.  Bruce provided such love to his family and friends and he loved everything “Western” themed.  “Mr. Musicman” was an appropriate name for Bruce.  He loved all types of music and was always in search of new music venues.  Bruce’s favorite singers were Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis.  His love of music led him to take piano lessons in his retirement.

Our dearest Bruce will truly be missed.  The finest family man at heart, he truly loved his family more than anything in the world and times spent together were always a treasure.   He leaves behind his loving wife Virginia “Ginny” Conlon of Dallas, TX, son Dan (Cliff) Conlon of Apopka (Orlando), FL, son Thomas Conlon of Gainesville, FL, grandson Jaxson Conlon and granddaughter Ella Conlon of Gainesville, FL, and mother-in-law Chrystie Jackson of Dallas, TX.  He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Dolores Neil of Boise, Idaho, and father-in-law Marion Jackson of Madison, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association in his name at www.heart.org,  the National Parks Conservation Association at https://give.nationalparks.org. or the Arapaho United Methodist Church Missions.

A Celebration of Life for Bruce will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 2:00 at the Arapaho United Methodist Church, 1400 West Arapaho Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, phone 972-231-1005, ext 1.

Arrangements under the direction of:

Aria Cremation Service and Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road

Dallas, Texas 75252

214-306-6700