Bruce Clay Bolinger passed in the early
morning hours of Aug 30, 2021, at a rest home in Clovis, New Mexico, at 68. A
long-time resident of Portales where he settled after retiring from the Navy in
1992, Bruce was best known for his bushy beard, long hair and quirky sense of
humor.
Born in Santa Fe August 13, 1953, to Herman
and Janice Bolinger, Bruce was the youngest of 3 children and had his father’s
sense of humor. Known as a prankster and a bit of a troublemaker, he worked at
the Piggly Wiggly in high school and worried his mother often. He eventually
enlisted in the Navy at 17 on Nov. 11, 1970, with help of his older sister
Jody, who forged his mother’s signature.
“Boats” as his fellow sailors called him,
was a career Navy man. As and aviation electrician, Bruce worked on helicopters
for 22.5 years. He served on many ships including the USS Cleveland and USS
Ranger in the early 1970s. He was stationed in the Philippines, Japan, South
Korea and San Diego during his career, which included one tour in Vietnam. He
survived two helicopter crashes while in the service, saw most of the world,
and had many “rousing” adventures while sailing the seven seas, espousing the spirit of an
enlisted Sailor. He retired out of San Diego in 1992 as a Petty Officer 1st
Class. He stayed in regular contact with his fellow sailors, exchanging birthday
cards every year.
After retirement, Bruce moved to Santa Fe
for a few years before eventually settling a few miles outside of Portales,
where he owned a windshield repair business until 1998. His mother joined him
in Portales in 1999 and Bruce cared for her lovingly until she passed in 2013.
Bruce was close to his nephews Rice, James
and Mat. The younger two, James and Mat, spent their summers at his house in
Portales, where he taught them how to shoot using his father’s .22 revolver and
drive in a pair of old American cars -- a ’68 Duster and a ’69 Impala.
Bruce retired for the last time earlier this
year after working at a local dairy for more than 20 years. He kept their
equipment running using the mechanical skills he honed in the Navy.
His beloved four-legged friends where his
closest companions. Thumper, Simba, Honey and Tazzie kept him company
throughout the years while he enjoyed a smoke, and a coconut rum with coke from
the front-porch of his house.
Forever a sailor, “Boats” last request was
to be buried at sea.
A memorial in his honor will be held in
Portales at a date and location to be determined.
He is survived by his sister Jody, brother
Allen, nephews Rice, James and Mat, cousin Anna and many of his fellow sailors
including Duke Madsen and Bill Shipley.
Bruce’s family would like to thank all the
healthcare workers at Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales and Genesis Clovis
Rehab and Recovery Center, who cared for Bruce during his final days. They
handled the jokes and pains of a crusty old sailor with grace.
