More detail on this person: Paul Douglas
Bromley, 65, of Ludington passed away peacefully
Saturday, June 11, 2016, in the loving presence of
his devoted wife, Kathy, and his loving daughter,
Traci, along with other adoring family members.
Paul waged a valiant fight against complications
from Chronic Rheumatoid-Arthritis and resulting
Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Paul worked for and retired from United Parcel
Service, where he met the love of his life, Kathy,
with whom he shared a towering and tender
devotion for many years.
Paul was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on July 7,
1950, the son of Roger and Audrey (Young)
Bromley, who, along with brothers Roger (Tobe) and
Tom, preceded him in death. Paul is survived by a
sister, Camilla (Jerry) Neal.
Paul moved often in his youth and was graduated
from Newton High School in Covington, GA, in
1968. Following several jobs, Paul enlisted in the
US Army in 1970 and took his basic training at
Fort Polk in Louisiana. Following boot camp, Paul
was sent to flight school in Texas, and later to
helicopter pilot training at Fort Rucker, Al. He
served with distinction as a CWO2 in the 1st
Cavalry Division, Charlie Company, 227 Assault
Helicopter Battalion. Paul was a decorated Vietnam
veteran, having been awarded the Bronze Star and
the Air Medal with V Device (the "V" is awarded
for valor in battle).
An incident from his tour of duty serves as a
testament to his courage in combat and to the kind
of devotion to others that Paul displayed daily
later in his civilian life: leaving a hot LZ under
fire with wounded men aboard, Paul's craft had its
tail rudder shot away by enemy groundfire. Despite
almost incalculable difficulties, including the
wounding of members of his own crew in the action,
Paul single-handedly fought to bring his craft out
of the LZ, through the trees, and landed it
without the loss of a single life. As evidenced in
this particular act of heroism, and in many others
during his tour in which he saved countless fellow
soldiers, Paul lived his entire life in tireless,
loving care and support of others.
In addition to his commitment to the betterment of
all around him, Paul was also committed to truth
and honesty; he always "told it like it is," but
with humility and compassion. Paul cherished his
family and built a community of relationships that
were precious to him and to the many for whom he
cared and supported. Paul never judged, but spent
his days dedicated to making his family's dreams
and the aspirations of all around him come true.
Whether listening to music or sharing his special
passion for automobiles, Paul lived life to its
fullest and he is missed by all whose lives he
touched.
Paul is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; his
children Traci (Craig) Noteboom, Mike (Becky)
Heemstra, and Tara (Scott) DeMarr; and his
grandchildren Conner and Christian Noteboom,
Austin DeMarr, and Evan, Annika, and Noah
Heemstra. Paul will also be missed by his nieces
and nephews Mark (Melissa) Thompson, Leslie
(Brian) Meehan, Jonathon (Susan) Bromley, Jeffrey
(Ann) Bromley, Jennifer (Jody) Akins, and Shane
Bromley, and by many great nieces and nephews.
Paul is loved and missed by all of his family and
countless special friends.
In addition to his support of many community
organizations, Paul also volunteered his time and
talents to many worthy charities: he was a
volunteer driver for Road to Recovery (ACS); a
Hospice Respite Volunteer; a Community Table
Leader; a volunteer for Relay for Life; a
volunteer at HELP Ministries; a volunteer at
Christmas and Thanksgiving Community dinners;
and a volunteer for the Adopt-a-Family Christmas
Program. And Paul continues his giving even after
his death_he has donated his body to the
University of Michigan Medical School for
anatomical research.
Paul lived his life heeding a line from
Shakespeare: "God bless thee, and put meekness
in thy breast, Love, charity, obedience, and true
duty!"
A memorial Celebration of Life is planned for July
7, 4-7 pm, at his residence at 312 North Gaylord
Avenue, with time for sharing and military rites
at 5:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks
that all donations in memory of Paul be sent to
either Saint Jude's Children's Hospital or to the
Community Foundation of Mason County.
Please feel free to share a photo or memory with
Paul's family on his personal page at
www.oakgrovefh.com The family has entrusted
arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home &
Cremation Center of Ludington.
This information was last updated 07/22/2016
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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024
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