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: 08/31/2024
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