Bruce Arthur Tomlinson

October 14, 1942 – November 11, 2023

“The” Bruce was a man loved by all.  His ever-present smile and beautiful blue eyes were mesmerizing.

Born to Harry Walter (Tex) Tomlinson and Guida Medalen Tomlinson in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was their fourth son, survived by his brother David Tomlinson of Minneapolis.  Predeceased are his brothers James Tomlinson and Edward Tomlinson.   Surviving are his wife Glenda Stallings Tomlinson, his daughters Jodie Tomlinson, Amy Kollman (Steve), Janel Martin (Jason) , his heart daughters Sue Doring (Russ), Bonnie Keller (Rich), Carla McNeal, Tracia von Dameck.    twenty-two grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren loved him and knew him as Bubba and Papa Bruce, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bruce was a very ambitious Boy Scout climbing to the ranks of Eagle Scout, earning the highest awards.  Bruce was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.  He was an avid scuba diver and instructor.

Promoted several times by Johnson & Johnson, he was transferred to many places with his final work destination being Tampa, Florida, where he spent the next thirty-five years.  While there he and two business partners, Jack Spangler and Andy Schultz formed Sharn Anesthesia, a major medical supply company to hospitals across the USA and six countries.

After retiring he and Glenda moved to Venice, Florida and Roanoke, VA and finally to Christiansburg, VA, where he loved the beauty of the mountains of southwest Virginia.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Blacksburg, Virginia on Saturday, November 25^th, 2023,  at 2 PM.    His ashes will be lovingly carried to Southseas Resort, Captiva, Florida for a gathering of family and friends on January 6, 2024 at 4PM.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Alzheimer's Association.