Bruce Morton

Wasilla resident Bruce Randall Morton Jr. died of natural causes at home March 24, 2008 He was 80. A service will be at 1 p.m. April 5 at Church on the Rock in Wasilla.

Morton was born Jan. 13, 1928, in Treveres, Fla., to Artie May Hardman and Bruce Randall Morton Sr. He grew up in Texas and served two overseas tours in the U.S. Army, one in Italy and one in Panama. He moved to Juneau in 1963 and then to Fairbanks in 1965, where he worked for the University of Alaska. He later settled in Chugiak and married Virginia Woodward Wilson in 1971. He worked as a computer programmer for the state of Alaska until his retirement in 1992.

His family wrote, “He was a mathematician and student of military history, with a particular interest in military weapons. A life member of the National Rifle Association and a passionate high-powered rifle competitor, he was a member of the Alaska Outdoor Council and an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman. He shared his love of the Alaska outdoors with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, many of whom learned canoeing, shooting and fishing under the tutelage of their Grandpa Bruce.”

Morton is survived by brother John (MaryAnn) Morton of Waco, Texas; sister Marjorie (Loyd) Hutson of Valley View, Texas; cousin George Weatherford of Dallas, Texas; step-son Mark Wilson of New Hampshire; step-daughters Pam Weaver of Wasilla and Joan Weber of Big Lake; three nephews and four nieces; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Morton was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Morton, and step-sons, Ted and David Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Rifle Association Legal Defense Fund or a charity of choice.