Staff
Our dedicated staff members are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
Chris grew up in central Florida loving the water and sun. He went to Highschool in Gwinnett county, north east of Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating high school Chris served our county for 4 years in the US Army as a Combat Engineer. His first duty station was Ft. Wainwright, AK. and then Ft. Benning, GA. After serving in the Army honorably, Chris attended The Gemological Institute of America where he received his Graduate Gemologist diploma. He served in several different roles and capacities over his 20 years in retail management especially in the Gem and Jewelry Industry, as president of 2 GIA Alumni chapters, earned his Certified Gemologist Appraiser with the AGS, working as an appraiser, buyer, designer, wholesaler, ect. He has a great passion for gems and minerals and enjoys rock hounding with his daughters and colleagues.
Chris loves Alaska, he enjoys fishing, hiking, camping, skeet shooting, and playing any type of racket sports. He especially finds joy in spending time with his wife, taking long walks and drives. Chris has 6 daughters and enjoys teaching them to do “the manly things.” In addition to all those manly things, Chris does all “the girly things” he’s girls love to do...all types of arts and crafts. Chris has grown to appreciate things like, poetry, art history, painting, knitting, quilting, lace, teatime, spinning, decorating, baking…especially baking.
Before moving back up to Alaska in 2012, Chris’s family had an organic hobby farm, so naturally he loves gardening and the sunny summers here in Alaska with all its green lushness and floral splendor. He enjoys going to the Alaska State Fair with his girls to see all the animals, arts and crafts, and exhibitors, especially the Native Alaskan Artisans with all their native forms of handy crafts, in particular their scrimshaw jewelry and carvings. Chris most recently joined Legacy Funeral Homes Inc. from Allstate insurance company. Being an insurance professional, his role will be to serve you as your Advanced Planner and Final Expense Specialist. This will be an excellent fit for Chris as he is empathetic to the families he serves, having experienced the loss of his only son. Coupled with his love for ministerial work and community service you will find him to be compassionate and understanding to your thoughts and needs. You will also discover he truly does care about you, taking great pride in being attentive to you and your unique personal situation. It is Chris’s sincere desire to treat you in a professional manner, as a trusted advisor. You will find he has such a personal touch; he has a way making sure you feel like family, not just a client.
Nelson Bruce was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a true Cajun. Nelson is a free spirit, who after graduating from High School left Louisiana and headed to Alaska in search of adventure. Nelson attended culinary school, and is accomplished and talented in the kitchen. He worked for the State of Alaska Prison System, where he managed the kitchen.Nelson loves the outdoors. In his free time you will find him hiking and camping, especially in Crow Creek Pass.
Nelson started in the Funeral Industry in 2006. His wife passed away after a long battle with cancer. While making her final arrangements, he was impressed with the Funeral Directors and knew he wanted to be involved with serving families. Nelson is an Advanced Planning Councilor for Legacy Funeral Homes. He is also the manager of our transfer care team. The rest of the staff affectionately refers to Nelson as “the glue”, as he has a knack for holding things together. Having lost someone so close to him, Nelson knows first hand the extreme value of the services that funeral homes offer. Nelson has 2 children, 2 grand children, and 2 kids of the four legged variety, a Dingo and a Siberian husky.
Bonnie was born and raised in Anchorage. She attended East High School. She is the mother of 5 beautiful children, and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys the long Alaskan summer days camping, hiking, fishing and picking berries. She enjoys cheering on her children at their sporting events, which include softball, volleyball and cheerleading. Bonnie is an Alaska Native and Shareholder of CIRI, Eklutna Inc. and a Tribal Member of The Native Village of Eklutna. She worked as a floral designer prior to joining the Legacy Family. After making funeral arrangements for her own family members over the past ten years, she was inspired to start a career in the funeral industry. She genuinely enjoys working with the funeral directors and is fully dedicated to helping serve our families.
Todd is from St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from John A Gupton college of mortuary science in 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. After doing his apprenticeship in his hometown he moved to Alaska in September 2017 and soon began working at Legacy Funeral Homes. He is a baptized member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and enjoys hiking and exploring Alaska in his time off.
Ken is from Provo Utah. He has been in Alaska since April 2016. He and his wife have 4 children and 1 grandson. His family relocated to Alaska after the graduation of their 2 oldest children. Ken wanted to hunt and fish. His wife wanted cooler temperatures and more daylight. Ken chose to become a funeral director and embalmer after the death of his 3rd child in 2002. He graduated from Mount Hood Community College in 2006 with a degree in Funeral Science. He gradated in 2015 from University of Phoenix with a Bachelors in Business with an emphasis in Finance.
Ken’s interests are Disneyland, Mickey Mouse, hunting, and fishing.
Dedra is from the Pacific Northwest. She has been in Alaska since July 2016. She and her husband have 4 children and 1 grandson. Her family relocated to Alaska after the graduation of their 2 oldest children. Her husband wanted to hunt and fish. Dedra wanted cooler temperatures and more daylight. Alaska was the obvious choice and they have not been disappointed. Dedra graduated from Mt. Hood Community College in 2006 with an Associated Degree in General Studies. She became a licensed funeral director in the summer of 2019.
Dedra’s interests are sewing, reading, hiking, and cruises.
I was born in Georgia and have moved all over the United States as my father was in the military. After being stationed in Alaska I have lived in Alaska since 2006 and graduated from Matsu Central High School. After graduating I then served a two-year church mission in central Mexico. There I was immersed in the Spanish language and still practice every day. After returning home I married my wife Samantha who is from Mexico. We have two children together. Currently I am enrolled in Arapahoe community college working towards my degree in mortuary science. I joined Legacy Funeral Homes in December 2018.
Steve has lived in Alaska since he was 8 years old. His great- grandfather gounded a group of funeral homes in Utah in the early 1900's. Steve and his wife Deanne have eight children and 4 grandchildren.
Steve has been a successful businessman in Alaska for over 35 years. Steve paraglides, snowmobiles, jetskies, crosscountry-skies, not to forget boating and fishing. He spends much of his free time working with boyscouts, taking them on amazing adventures in the Alaska wilderness, snowcaving and learning survival skills. Steve is honored to serve families and uplift those in need.