Bruce (Coach) Dempsey passed away on August 23 from CHF and dementia. He was born in 1934 in the small rural town of Fennimore, Wisconsin; the fifth child Of Shyrley and Theran Dempsey. He went to the local high school where he was a stand-out in all sports; always full of energy and ready for the next game. He went to Wisconsin State University where he was the quarterback for two years until he suffered a back injury which sidelined his football career.
He enlisted in the Army and spent time in Kaiserslautern, Germany; with the Dempsey name he also did boxing there! After his discharge he returned to college where he met his wife, Jean, in history class; a meeting that culminated in 65 years of marriage. From college they moved to northern Illinois where Bruce coached for four years and earned his Master's Degree from Northern Illinois University.
Wanting warmer weather and another head coaching position, he was hired in Calipatria, California in the Imperial County. His coaching career there was very successful, including CIF Champions and play-off games. Then he was offered the head coaching job and teaching position in Fillmore (which apparently hadn't won a football game in four years). He also coached baseball for awhile but football was his passion, especially when they won games in the first year! He got to coach his son Bret and daughter Karla helped keep the Stats. Beating Santa Paula was another big accomplishment for the Fillmore Flashes; especially when Joe Zeno was the coach!
The school administration was very supportive as were parents and friends; wife Jean could be critical of any fans who did not support him! Bruce was inducted into the Fillmore High School Hall of Fame and the Imperial Valley Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
He was a big fan of the Los Angeles Rams and cheered on the Dodgers too. Amidst all of this, Bruce and Jean traveled extensively to all 50 states; all of Europe, Canada, S. America, Australia, all Scandinavian countries, Central America, New Zealand and a bit of Russia.
He was a member of the Elkins Mens Golf Club, R&A Golf and American Legion
Bruce is survived by his wife Jean, Son Bret, Daughter Karla and three grandchildren, Cody, Wyatt, and Sarah; Brother Barry and sister Andrea. Bruce's remains will be put to rest in the Riverside National Cemetery (for Veterans).