ETHRIDGE

Bruce Lee Ethridge of Buda was born Jan. 26, 1950, and entered eternal life on Oct. 11, 2014. Bruce is survived by his beloved wife Rosa Ethridge and his six children: Joann Crisp, Richard Ethridge, Robert Teneyuque, Melissa Teneyuque, Evelyn Teneyuque, and Christian Ethridge. He dearly loved his eight grandchildren, who will miss him greatly, as will his two dogs, Champ and Candy. Bruce is also survived by his dear friend of many years, George Strickland, who was a surrogate father, uncle and brother. 

Born in Hammond Indiana, he moved with his parents to Texas where he attended McMurry University in Abilene. He taught science at the Burnet Independent School District and inspired many students through his ability to understand that education often takes you outside of a textbook, particularly when a tornado takes away your classroom. 

He eventually became a police officer with the Austin Police Department, serving for 34 years. Bruce found his calling with the Motors Division, following in the footsteps of his uncle who had served with the Illinois Highway Patrol as a motorcycle officer. He had always admired his uncle’s service and proudly displayed his badge with a photograph of him in uniform on his motorcycle. 

Bruce’s life was not marked by his own personal achievements, but by the great kindness and consideration he gave to others. He adopted people all along the way in his life, many of whom are not even known to us. Never forgetting the importance of education in his own life, he sponsored a young woman from the Philippines so she could finish her college education. In recent years, he established a website for Loving Arms Orphanage to raise help funds for a school and orphanage in India. 

Funeral services were held Friday, October 17 at Harrell’s Funeral Home in Kyle followed by a burial at Kyle Cemetery.