Bruce Jay Coldren
Bruce was born to Reg and Joan Coldren in Santa Barbara, CA on December 25th, 1953, and passed away unexpectedly in Springfield, OR on July 12th, 2021, of a pulmonary embolism.
During his time growing up in Goleta, CA he played various sports but focused on basketball. He received many accolades and was later inducted into the Santa Barbara Round Table Hall of Fame in 2015.
After graduating from Dos Pueblos High School in 1972 he attended the University of Oregon and received his Bachelor of Science in physical education and health. At Oregon, he was a member of men’s basketball team under Dick Harter and was an original Kamikaze Kid. Many people remember Bruce for his 12-14, 24-point performance against #1 ranked UCLA in what was considered “The Lost Weekend” by Sports Illustrated, but he would much rather be remembered as a devoted, kind, and humble teammate. He was inducted into the Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999 alongside his Kamikaze Kid teammates.
He went on to teach PE and Health among many other subjects at Lowell High School from 1977-2008. He was also the athletic director and coached football, basketball, and baseball during his time at Lowell. He had a huge heart and was always a positive force for his students and their families. He touched countless lives as a teacher and a coach over his 30+ year career. In 2016, he was inducted into the Lowell School District Hall of Fame.
On August 13th, 1977, Bruce married his best friend, Karen. They were married for 43 years and had two children, Jamie and Ryan. Bruce and Karen enjoyed driving up and down the west coast visiting family in California and Washington, watching all things University of Oregon, and spending time on the back deck of their Fall Creek home.
After his retirement in 2008, Bruce stayed involved in school activities and continued to be a substitute teacher. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, BBQing, and keeping in contact with his lifelong friends. But nothing compared to the joy he felt visiting his granddaughters Delainie and Hadlie in California, and grandson, Winlsow in Washington.
Bruce was preceded in death by his mother, Joan Coldren and Sister, Lisa Mink.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, daughter Jamie (Ryan) Ayers of Newbury Park, CA, son Ryan (Sarah) Coldren of Renton, WA, father Reg Coldren of Goleta, CA, sister Gina (Chuck) Osberg of Lompoc, CA, and 3 grandchildren, Delainie and Hadlie Ayers and Winslow Coldren.
A celebration of life is being planned with details that will be forthcoming. The family has suggested making a donation in Bruce’s memory to the Lowell/Fall Creek Education Foundation.
Services in the care of Major Family Funeral Home. Visit www.majorfamilyfuneralhome.com to sign the guestbook or share a favorite memory.