Bruce Dale Oldham's Obituary
Bruce D. Oldham was born January 25, 1948 at County Hospital in Sacramento, California to Gordon Keith and Joyce Oldham. He had two older brothers, Mike and Larry and one younger sister, Mariann. Bruce grew up in Del Paso Heights, attending Bell Avenue Elementary School, Del Paso Junior High and graduated from Grant High School in 1966. Bruce joined the US Army after graduation, reenlisting in 1969 and honorably discharged in 1972. He remained proud of his military service his entire life.
On July 17, 1971, he married Kathy Reynolds in Sacramento. Their family grew to include four children: Gordon, born January 15, 1973, Robin, born August 30, 1975, Jeremy, born September 8, 1978 and Tammy, born July 26, 1982. Bruce was raised in the Latter Day Saint faith and he and Kathy were active members, raising their children in as LDS members as well.
Bruce spent most of his working career in the printing industry. His knowledge and ability was honed at different printing companies in Sacramento. Bruce started at an entry level position and spent years learning all he could about the industry. Bruce worked his way to the lithographer position. Never one to back away from hard work, he also instilled this quality into each of his children through his example. Though he worked full time, he was always a constant source of encouragement, supported his children in their pursuits. He never failed to show his support through attendance and encouraging word whether it was pageants, sports, dance or schooling.
Bruce happily attended the weddings of each of his children, welcoming each spouse into his family. He walked Robin down the aisle in November 1995, standing proudly as Gordon married in May of 1999 and Jeremy in April of 2004, finally walking Tammy down the aisle in September of 2010. His family grew as grandchildren were born, each one his pride and joy. Bruce was the very proud Pappy to: Dermot, born June 13, 1999, Nolan, born November 11, 2002, Grace, born May 18, 2003, Audrey, born March 3, 2005, triplets Madison, Wyatt and Lilly, born November 5, 2007, Ella born January 18, 2009, Sabrina, born October 27, 2009 and Khloee, born May 31, 2012. Hardly ever seen without a hat, the last couple years saw Bruce usually wearing one of two hats, one stating him as #1 Pappy and the other he had made stating he had the #1 grandchildren. Each of these hats had all 10 names embroidered on the back, making sure room was left for more names. Continuing with the encouragement he started as his children grew, his life revolved around his grandchildren, welcoming hugs, kisses, pictures, stories or anything they wanted to give him and always made time for them, scheduling his time around their activities.
Bruce was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2007. Due to other complications and illness, Bruce was placed on the transplant list as a candidate for a new liver. On Halloween 2010, the call came through that a compatible liver was available and he quickly packed up and headed to UCSF that night. On November 1, 2010, after many hours, Bruce came out of surgery and started his transplant recovery. In November of 2011, the family went to Disneyland to celebrate his one year transplant anniversary. Unfortunately, Bruce was diagnosed with liver cancer yet again in 2012. After 3 years of treatment and fight, Bruce was cared for by his loving wife, Kathy, and with the help and support of his family and passed away peacefully at his home in Antelope, CA on the evening of June 25, 2015.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and his sister. Bruce is survived by his spouse, children and their spouses and grandchildren.
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