Daryl “Bruce” Shockley was born April 23, 1958 in Pomona, CA and passed while in hospice care at Fairview Nursing and Rehab in Centreville, MI on June 10, 2026 after battling several medical conditions, including colon cancer and a stroke. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Dana Shockley; his daughter, Jennifer Cernat and her spouse, Tim Cernat; his son, Robert Shockley; his daughter Anna Swearingen, her spouse Michael Swearingen and their son Christopher Swearingen; his step-son Jimmy Gardner, his mother Charlene Hand and step-father Lee Hand; his sister Elizabeth Shockley – and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his older brother, David “Alan” Shockley and his father, David Lentz Shockley.

Bruce was raised in Indio, CA., until the age of 18 when he joined the US Army on June 11, 1976, specializing in music and graduated from the 8th Army AG Band. He then served tours overseas including Germany and Korea, and played music and sang in those countries, as well all over the United States, and for two US Presidents during his service. He was honorably discharged 8-1/2 years later on August 27, 1984 with many decorations, medals, citations and ribbons, with special recognition in percussion, guitar, expert with hand grenades and sharpshooting.

Bruce’s first love has always been music, starting with his 1st toy guitar his father got him at age 5, but getting serious, with a newer “real” guitar received at age 8. He was adept with a plethora of instruments, writing songs, producing, and teaching, and he had an amazing voice with an impressive range. He taught band in public schools in California, was a music mastering producer for Praise Him Records in Nashville, TN after doing a 4-year US tour with the Randall Brothers Band, also out of Nashville. He was a guitar and bass teacher for several seasons at Camp Wakeshma in Three Rivers, MI for their summer music camp, and had many private music students throughout his life. He also co-wrote and produced over 100 original songs in the past several years with his friend and music partner, Mr. Kim Burco.

In addition to his amazing musical achievements, Bruce was also unfailingly kind to everyone he encountered, most always had a positive and happy outlook, no matter what he was going through, had a great sense of humor and never forgot anyone’s name. He always had high praise and appreciation for all his family, friends, musical collaborators and cohorts, and cherished all those who came to see him perform. He was a proud US Army Veteran, and very patriotic.

Arrangements are entrusted to Family First Funeral & Cremation Services in Marcellus, MI, and his remains, along with his Veteran’s Flag, will be sent to his mother in California to be interred in their family plot. There will not be a funeral, but instead a Celebration of Life to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to help his wife with finances until she is able to collect her first social security check in March, 2027. Donations can be made via PayPal: dlynndarlin@gmail.com - via Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/dlynndarlin - or via Go Fund Me: https://gofund.me/1f7d0700a.