Douglas "Jr" Bronson

Each of us follow our own paths in life, our own roads, facing our share of challenges and trials along the way. Doug "JR" Bronson certainly followed his own road in life. He was a big man, with an even bigger heart, who faced so many challenges, but also so many triumphs, from the many friends he made, to the family he loved most of all. JR's story began on a warm spring day in 1951, in the beautiful beachfront town of Grand Haven, Michigan. Those were tumultuous times in this country, as we entered into conflict in Korea, and into a Cold War with the Soviet Union. Yet on Saturday, May 20th of that year, Doug and Evelyn (Franks) Bronson found reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named after his father. JR was the fifth of eight children in the family's home, joining two sisters and five brothers spread out over 20 years from oldest to youngest. Since he was named after his father, it was natural for people to call him "Junior," which the family didn't like, so they called him J.R. instead, a name that stuck. Naturally, with eight children in the home, there were always plenty of kids running around the Bronson household. JR had a great childhood, and his favorite hobby as a kid was going on the many hunting and fishing trips his dad took all the boys on, which also made for a vacation for JR's mom and sisters, too! JR loved those trips, going up north and staying in a camper together. Every year it seemed JR would take a half-dozen shots, kill two or three deer, only to then realize they had just one permit between them all! There was never a shortage of good fishing and hunting stories to be had. JR attended school until the ninth grade. At that time, he realized he had different aspirations, so he left school to find his own road. He soon fell in love with an older woman named Penny, and had his parents sign the papers to allow him to marry her at just 17. They didn't bother trying to talk him out of it; JR was very headstrong, and when he'd made up his mind, that was it. After he was married, he set out to find his career. His older brother Dale was in the Army serving in Vietnam, and JR admired Dale so much, that he deceided that he wanted to be in the Army too. He enlisted in the Army and was soon sent overseas. There he was charged with driving a gas truck through the combat zones, a very dangerous job. JR loved it! When his first tour ended, he felt compelled to re-enlist for a second tour! During his second tour, he and Penny parted ways. When he was on leave from the service, he returned home, where he met a woman named Connie and fell head-over-heels for her. The two were quickly married, and soon started a family, celebrating the birth of daughter Jodi and son named Douglas III. JR and Connie were together about eight years before they too, grew apart and divorced. In the early 1980s, JR decided he needed a change of scenery, and went out to Colorado, where he met Barb, and fell in love again. JR and Barb were married for a short time, however they couldn't be prouder of their son Corey, which was a result of their union together. Corey and his mother moved to California. Disappointed by his misfortune in love, JR returned to Michigan, where he found comfort in his family and friends once again. He then deceided to visit his best friend, Charles "Chuck" Hall, who always knew how to have a good time, and they were a true pair of "Wild & Crazy" guys together. Chuck and JR never lacked for laughs, good stories or good times, that's for sure. Chuck lived in Pennsylvania. It was then where JR became reacquainted with Chuck's sister, Karen. They had known each other for years, but they say timing is everything! This time, Karen was divorced and raising her sons, Chad and Craig. Both Karen and JR knew this was love at first sight. The timing was finally right, although the distance couldn't have been worse, after all Karen lived in Pennsylvania! Despite the distance, they nurtured a love affair over the next two years, and after their phone bills crossed the $600 mark, they decided it was cheaper to just get married! They threw caution to the wind, and were married in JR's parents' backyard. They spent a "memorable" wedding night in a camper on his parents' property, but since Karen's mother didn't know anyone and was uncomfortable staying with strangers, she stayed in the camper with them! Needless to say, it was unforgettable, but not the way they'd planned on!! The newlyweds made their home in Brighton, Michigan, where Karen worked in a nursing home and JR worked for a towing company. When JR's son Corey was in the second grade, he came to live with them, staying until he was in his mid-teens then returned to California. This was a busy time in JR's life. He was busy working, enjoying his family, and just plain enjoying life. During this phase of his life, JR felt the time was right to undergo gastric bypass surgery. It was a decision he made thinking he could improve his quality of life. When JR went in for surgery in January of 2000, he received bad news: while on the operating table, the doctors discovered he had a life-threatening, highly-contagious and terminal illness. They suspect it had gone undetected from his days in Vietnam. They decided to not complete the surgery, and placed him on a managed health care plan. It wasn't long after that JR went on permanent disability. Karen's father then became ill, so they packed up and went to help care for him. Karen was busy taking care of her father's health and helping JR manage his own health care needs. JR's heath care issues required many addtional hospital visits and even additonal surgeries. All things considerd, Karen and JR felt it would be best if they moved back to Michigan so JR could have family support and a better health care system. Rising health care costs placed a huge strain on their marriage. It wasn't long before JR and Karen could no longer keep their heads above water financially. They agreed to divorce. In spite of all the issues, Karen remained an incredibly important, loving part of JR's life. Until the end, it was JR's family and Karen who cared for him every way they could. People who knew JR would do anything for him. He was a big-hearted, caring person, who was fun-loving with a dry sense of humor. His sister Jodi said, "JR never judged her, only supported her, no matter what the situation," while his brother Don called JR his very best friend. JR would call Don every Saturday morning like clockwork, pointing out the sales in the paper, and discussing the next "project" they'd tackle. JR also had one unconditional love in his life - a four legged partner named "Boots". Boots was JR's dog or true compagnion. Each day as JR would leave for work, Boots would sit at the window and wait all day for his return. Upon coming home, Boots would come alive and be by JR's side until bedtime. In fact, Boots wanted to be with JR to the point he had escaped from home and was headed north to the hunting cabin in search of JR who was already there! Sadly, JR died at Mercy Hospital on Thursday, March 1, 2007, at the age of 55. JR was caring, compassionate big man, with an even bigger heart. He followed his own path in life, facing many challenges along the way, yet also enjoyed so many successes. He was a loving brother, husband, father and friend, and a man who made a difference to all who knew him. He will be so greatly missed. Surviving are JR's children: Jodi Bronson - MaComb, MI ; Douglas S. Bronson III. - Manistee; MI, Corey Bronson - CA; Chad (Danielle) Yearick - Milleim, PA; Craig Yearick - Bellefonte, PA; Sisters: Cynithia (David) Leonard - Grand Haven, MI; Jodi (Patrick) Bronson - Nems, Grand Rapids, MI; Brothers: James Bronson-Muskegon, MI; Dale (Claudette) Bronson - Grand Haven, MI; Dennis (Constance) Bronson - Spring Lake, MI; Donald (Marcia Szymczyk) Bronson-Fruitport, MI; David (Sandra) Bronson-Grand Rapids, MI; Mother Eveyln Bronson - Grand Haven, MI and life partner Karen Hall-Muskegon, MI; 10 grandchildren. Services will be held Monday, March 5, 2007, at 10 a.m., at Broadway Baptist Church with Pastor Donald Letson officiating. Broadway Baptist Church, will host reception immediatley following. Memorials may be made to the Douglas Bronson Funeral Fund at Clock Life Story Funeral Home 1469 Peck Street, Muskegon MI 49441. To share a memory or photo of him, or sign the online guestbook, visit his Memory Page at www.lifestorynet.com.