BRIAN MORRIS KRUGER

passed away on Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, with his family in Marble Falls, Texas, after a year-long struggle with leukemia.

Born on July 1, 1961, to father Sol (deceased) and mother Lavene Kruger, Brian lived life to its fullest. He was a true lover of animals. There wasn’t a time in his life when he wasn’t surrounded by one or two feline or canine friends. From his sweet Boxer, Baby, Fred the cat, and Erma his beloved black standard poodle, to his current companion Gracie, a white standard poodle, they all benefited from his generous spirit and loving heart. Brian was an avid supporter of the SPCA and The Animal League of Green Valley.

Brian grew up in the Dallas area and graduated from the Selwyn School in Denton, Texas. From an early age, he was an entrepreneur at heart. He opened his first business, a tanning salon, in Denton. From there he moved to Dallas and started a successful flotation tank business, H20 Float. After a brief residence in New Orleans, Brian moved to Tucson, where he developed and owned a nightclub.

In Green Valley, where he lived for the past eight years, he recently earned his broker’s license. But one of his real passions was revitalizing older homes. Brian had a true talent for decorating. He completely rebuilt, redecorated and redesigned his mother’s residence in Dallas, turning it into a showplace. For years, he turned that passion into a thriving business restoring many older homes and turning them for profit.

Brian was a fine art enthusiast, collecting works of art from galleries in Texas and Arizona. He also loved to garden and could transform a mundane home garden into the star of the neighborhood.

Brian had a zest for life and charmed all who met him. Brian was truly unique. Rarely was there anyone who was not the recipient of his kind heart and gentle spirit. Close to his family and friends, Brian had an amazing humor and wit about him that has truly left a hole in our hearts. After 47 years on this earth, Brian, you will be missed.

Brian is survived by his mother Lavene Kruger; brother Philip (Barbara) Kruger; sister Rebecca (Phillip) Gatton; nephew Steven Kruger; and his aunt Mary George and her four children Amy, Sue, Joseph and Ellen. He is also survived by other relatives and close friends.

The family will hold private services in Marble Falls, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the SPCA, The Animal League of Green Valley, 1600 W. Duval Mine Rd., Green Valley, AZ 85622, VistaCare Hospice Foundation, 7800 Shoal Creek Blvd. Suite 130W, Austin, Texas 78757 or Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) 375 S. Euclid Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719-6644 in Brian’s memory.