Bruce Earl James

Bruce Earl James, 76, of Fairbanks, Alaska, passed away peacefully at home on March 21, 2023 with family and friends by his side.

  Bruce was born to William and Sarah James in Lafayette, Indiana. In 1962, Bruce moved to Tanana, Alaska as a child with his parents, who were schoolteachers. In Tanana he discovered his love for Alaska, the outdoors, and his love for his wife Nancy.  He attended Tanana High School and went on to get his degree and teach electronics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He worked for the FAA in Fort Yukon, then Bruce transitioned to a career in the local utilities working and eventually retiring after decades of service with the local Electrical Union 1547.

During his life Bruce continued his exploration and love of Alaska by obtaining his private pilot's and six pack riverboat captain's licenses.  Bruce enjoyed flying and hunting with his friends and family but also enjoyed building and teaching himself welding and metal working with his lathe.  

Bruce was predeceased in death by his parents, twin brother Alan, and his son Vincent; he is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Ardis Wiehl (Mack), son Michael James (Maryann), sister Jessica Morton, and many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. His sense of humor, storytelling, and love of family and friends will be greatly missed.

Many thanks go to Dr. Steven Kirtland of Seattle Virginia Mason; Prisma Health in South Carolina; and to the Fairbanks Hospice crew for their excellent care. Also, to the friends and family for their help with snow plowing, mowing, mail, watering plants, etc. that made caring for Bruce possible.

No services will be held at his request, but a celebration of life will be held at a date to be determined later.

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