James Bruner

JAMES BRUNER

Cedar Rapids

James Christian Bruner of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, conducted by Father Ivan Nienhaus. Family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, with a rosary at 4 p.m. Burial, with military honors by VFW Honor Guard and the Cedar Rapids Police Department Honor Guard, will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Bruner; goddaughter, Lucy Schneekloth; sisters-in-law, Jennie Davis, Ruth Ellen (Joseph Gettys) Kinzey and Shirley Kinzey; brother, Howard Bruner; special niece, Julie (Terry) Schneekloth; and other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; godson and special nephew, Carl Davis; and brother, Arve Allen.

James was born Dec. 2, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, son of James Gorton and Betty Lucille (Andersen) Bruner. He married Nancy Louise Kinzey on Dec. 29, 1962, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. James served in the United States Army from October 1966 to October 1972. He was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas, "Hell on Wheels." Within a year of joining the ranks of the United States Army, he earned the rank of Sergeant E-5. He also toured in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, was a tank commander for the 2nd of the 34th Armor Dreadnought, which was attached to the 25th Infantry, then to the 9th Infantry and then to the 101 Airborne. During his tour of active duty he was decorated with the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Ribbon, Combat Action Ribbon and Army Service Ribbon.

James was a retired professional truck driver. He was a member of the Teamsters Union for over 50 years. James was employed by King's Concrete of Cedar Rapids and Model Stone Concrete/Aggregate Industries of Minneapolis.

James was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. He was active in the Cedar Rapids/Linn County veterans community and also the Cedar Rapids Police Volunteer Corps and was 2015 Volunteer of the Year. James also was appointed to the Cedar Rapids Veterans Memorial Commission in 2002-present. As a commissioner he volunteered countless hours. James was appointed to the Linn County Veterans Commission in 2004, elected president of the Cedar Rapids Metro Area Veterans Council from 2012 to the present, named 2005 Veteran of the Year by the Metro Veteran Council and was selected as the "Military Hero" for the Cedar Rapids 2004 Freedom Festival. In 2006, he received the All Star Veteran for Freedom from Hunger, a community food challenge.

He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 568, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 788 and the American Legion.

James volunteered every year for Memorial Day with other Vietnam veterans to put out United States flags on graves of those who served our country. He was the recipient of 2014 Military Heroes. James also helped at the Cedar Rapids Police Department Citizens Police Academy. He was presented the City of Cedar Rapids Distinguished Service Medal by the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

James loved his Harley motorcycles. He enjoyed going to Sturgis with his goddaughter and boating with his godson. James took pleasure in doing stained glass pieces and sharing them with others.

Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, or to Dr. Frederick Johlin for Research at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Please share a memory of James at www.murdoch funeralhome.com under obituaries.