Bruce Chisam, 37

Bruce Ian Chisam, 37, formerly of Mountain Home, died Feb. 10, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Private services will be held at later date for the family.

"Bruce had many challenges in his life and he was courageous, and brave in his struggle to overcome them," his family said.

He was born July 12, 1966, in Riverside, Calif. At the age of four his father was transferred to Mountain Home Air Force Base, where he spent his youth fishing and hunting with his father, "whom he loved so very much."

As a young man he lived in New York, Albaquerque and finally Las Vegas

Bruce's greatest joy in life was Katie, his beloved golden retriever and constant companion of eight years. Together they enjoyed the outdoors, hiking and swimming.

His family noted that he was "blessed with an infectious humor and always had a joke or impression of someone readily available to make us smile and laugh," adding that "the music he loved to play on his guitar and listen to was a source of pleasure for him."

He is survived by: his parents, Carl and Sylvia Chisam; sisters Elaine Shannon and Elizabeth Kocher and several nieces and nephews.