1929
Harlan
2011
Harlan H. Bristol
September 26, 1929 — April 1, 2011
Harlan H. Bristol, 81, (aka "Mr. B") formally of Big Spring, left peacefully from this earthly realm to be with our Father in Heaven on April 1, 2011 at 6:55 a.m. in Richardson, Texas following several long battles, he finally succumbed the war to complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Harlan was born September 26, 1929 in Valentine, Nebraska to Homer and Dorothy Bristol and later relocated to Steamboat Springs Colorado where he resided until moving to California. Once in California, he worked for the ranch of Jack Haley, the Tinman of the Wizard of Oz and graduated from Elk Grove High School in Sacramento.
He traveled the United States showing Haley Herefords’ Champion Bull at State Fairs.
He served three years in the California National Guard before enlisting in the Air Force in 1951, serving during the Korean conflict and proudly served in the Vietnam War, making over 30 trips across the Pacific. He was stationed at Webb AFB in Big Spring immediately upon returning from Vietnam and was a jet engine mechanic and jet engine instructor.
He served as a scout master with the Boy Scouts of America in Big Spring.
He retired from active duty in 1971 and began his twenty four years of civil service with the Air Force at Dyess AFB in Abilene as their mobile maintenance technician on the flight line.
His many interests included woodworking, metalworking, and was known to be able to fix anything with anything. Harlan was known as a man who never met a stranger and would help anyone friend or foe. He had a penchant for animals raising a doe from a baby, rescuing a baby eagle whose mother had passed and raised a pair of woodchucks as a young man.
He will be greatly missed by all those who love and respected him. He is survived by son, Alan M. Bristol of Corsicana, formally of Big Spring, a loving daughter, Susan Holley of Sachse, Texas formally of Big Spring and Barbara Stokes of Council Bluffs, Iowa as well as five grandchildren and several great grandchildren and sister-in-law, Barbara L Skeen of Kennewick, Washington.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Sally A. Blackmon Bristol of Big Spring, brothers Lester Bristol, Wayne Bristol, Eldred Bristol and sister Hope David. He was one of 10 brothers and sisters. He is survived by brothers Merle and Margie Bristol of Ft. Morgan, Colorado, Arlo and Ruby Bristol of Ft. Morgan, Elaine and Floyd Ford of Ropesville, Texas, Frances Barrett of Loveland, Colorado, Arlene Foley of Brush, Colorado and countless cousins, nieces and nephews.
A funeral with full military honors will be scheduled for a later date where he will be interned next to his mother in Ft. Morgan, Colorado.
The family asks that any memorials be sent to the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer’s Association or the Boy Scouts of America.
Harlan was born September 26, 1929 in Valentine, Nebraska to Homer and Dorothy Bristol and later relocated to Steamboat Springs Colorado where he resided until moving to California. Once in California, he worked for the ranch of Jack Haley, the Tinman of the Wizard of Oz and graduated from Elk Grove High School in Sacramento.
He traveled the United States showing Haley Herefords’ Champion Bull at State Fairs.
He served three years in the California National Guard before enlisting in the Air Force in 1951, serving during the Korean conflict and proudly served in the Vietnam War, making over 30 trips across the Pacific. He was stationed at Webb AFB in Big Spring immediately upon returning from Vietnam and was a jet engine mechanic and jet engine instructor.
He served as a scout master with the Boy Scouts of America in Big Spring.
He retired from active duty in 1971 and began his twenty four years of civil service with the Air Force at Dyess AFB in Abilene as their mobile maintenance technician on the flight line.
His many interests included woodworking, metalworking, and was known to be able to fix anything with anything. Harlan was known as a man who never met a stranger and would help anyone friend or foe. He had a penchant for animals raising a doe from a baby, rescuing a baby eagle whose mother had passed and raised a pair of woodchucks as a young man.
He will be greatly missed by all those who love and respected him. He is survived by son, Alan M. Bristol of Corsicana, formally of Big Spring, a loving daughter, Susan Holley of Sachse, Texas formally of Big Spring and Barbara Stokes of Council Bluffs, Iowa as well as five grandchildren and several great grandchildren and sister-in-law, Barbara L Skeen of Kennewick, Washington.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Sally A. Blackmon Bristol of Big Spring, brothers Lester Bristol, Wayne Bristol, Eldred Bristol and sister Hope David. He was one of 10 brothers and sisters. He is survived by brothers Merle and Margie Bristol of Ft. Morgan, Colorado, Arlo and Ruby Bristol of Ft. Morgan, Elaine and Floyd Ford of Ropesville, Texas, Frances Barrett of Loveland, Colorado, Arlene Foley of Brush, Colorado and countless cousins, nieces and nephews.
A funeral with full military honors will be scheduled for a later date where he will be interned next to his mother in Ft. Morgan, Colorado.
The family asks that any memorials be sent to the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer’s Association or the Boy Scouts of America.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Harlan H. Bristol, please visit our flower store.
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