Bruce Gordon Heady

Bruce Gordon Heady was born September 6, 1938. He passed away in his home on August 15, 2024 at the age of 85 with his family by his side. 

Born in Santa Monica California, Bruce enjoyed his adolescent years adventuring around Topanga Canyon riding his horse Pet, working with his father, and learning life skills that would follow him all of his days. 

In the early 1950’s the Heady family moved to the Ukiah Valley where Bruce grew up with his brother Steve. Bruce enjoyed racing cars, working in the tire and service station business alongside his father and frequenting his beloved Morrison Cabin in the Trinity Alps.

In 1965, Bruce met Ginger Morgan at the A&W Burger Hop and eventually married in 1966. Ginger, with her daughters Debbie Chambers (McCoy) and Tina Andrews (Heady) became a family. Bruce and Ginger went on to have three children of their own, Brenda (Stacy), Barbara (Babcock) and Joshua Heady. In 1983, Bruce and Ginger divorced.

In 1984, mutual friends reintroduced Bruce to Carolyn Rupe (Giuntoli) and they would be married October 26, 1985. This union brought together these two amazing families. Additionally, in 2018, we were gifted with knowledge of Bruce’s daughter Joanne Slobodien (Stromeyer-Heady), a true blessing to our family. These children would carry both Bruce and Carol through the rest of their years. The two of them, for the next 38 years, enjoyed many adventures with their mules in the mountains of the Trinity Alps. They also shared many fast road trips across the United States.

At an early age, Bruce had a passion for racing, big engines, and the precision of driving. Simply put, the smell of burning rubber! He went on to truck driving, starting his first business hauling freight as Covelo Transportation which set him up in Covelo with the building supply business. From Covelo Transportation, began his Boomerang logging truck adventures. Recognized on the Mendocino County roads with his iconic Boomerang logo as well as personalizing many of his vehicles with the “Boomer” license plate. Both his 1956 Studebaker and his 1993 Porsche 928 GTS still hold the Boomer plates. Throughout the years, he would continue in the “gippo” truck driver/ entrepreneur lane with the chip hauling business by purchasing state of the art White Volvo trucks that he loved so much. 

Bruce will be remembered as a man who would never turn down an opportunity to do something bigger or better, have the heaviest hauls no matter what he was hauling, 22-hour days (before the computer time logs on trucks now!) and always having a back haul. He was a problem solver and had confidence in his ability and his drive to never give up. Bruce enjoyed pushing the limits and took great pride and satisfaction in setting himself apart. He was a man of his word.

There is no doubt, Bruce had a life full of adventures. He has written down these stories in his own words in his book The Adventures of Bruce Gordon Heady, My Full Life which is currently in publication. His gift of gab is clear in this book which includes many detailed recollections over his 85 years.

Bruce is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Elma Heady. He is survived by his brother Steven R. Heady (Cathy) and his cousin Paul Heady, Jr. , his daughters Debra McCoy, Joanne Slobodien (Brian), Tina Heady, Brenda Stacy (David-preceded in death), Barbara Babcock (Mike), and Joshua Heady (Sarah). He is also survived by children from his marriage to Carolyn Heady. His stepsons Bert Miller (from Carol’s marriage to Homer Miller), Robert Giuntoli, and preceded in death by Carol’s daughter Anna Giuntoli-Lindgren (from marriage to Bob Giuntoli).

Many wonderful memories were made with his children, 21 grandchildren, and 38 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He will always be remembered for his incredible work ethic, his connection with the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, the Morrison Cabin, and his love for the hundreds of miles he, Carol and his mules travelled. Bruce was a strong father/grandfather figure for his children and grandchildren with a deep conviction for God, Family and Country. Along these lines, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Phoenix Hospice, Calvary Baptist Church of Ukiah, or the Trinity County Historical Society in Weaverville, California.

Bruce’s family would like to extend our deepest gratitude for all the love and support demonstrated by so many. Special thanks to Phoenix Hospice, Calvary Baptist Church, and the amazing caregivers who supported his children through this journey. 

No memorial services will be held as per Bruce’s request.