On Monday, March 11, 2019, Ronald Lewis Bruce, loving father of three, passed away at age 83. Ron was born in his grandmother’s house in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma on March 1, 1936 to Walter S. and Ethel (Talley) Bruce. He graduated from Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City in 1954 and went on to receive a BS in Business Administration with a minor in Economics and English in 1965 from Central University in Edmond, Oklahoma. Ron served in the Oklahoma Air National Guard from 1958 to 1964. He worked for the Defense Contract Management Agency for 33 years as an Administrative Contracting Officer and later a Corporate Contracting Officer. He retired on October 2, 1998.
As a child in Oklahoma, Ron formed deep friendships through school and the youth group at South Lindsay Baptist Church. These childhood friends enriched his life, and he delighted in the many emails, phone calls and visits over the years, retelling adventures gone by with much enjoyment and laughter. Ron was also blessed with strong family mentors and role models. He had three uncles and one aunt who were so very special to him. His uncles served in World War II and the Korean War, and the respect and admiration Ron felt for their service and sacrifice knew no bounds. His many visits with these uncles, two of whom survive today, were an anchor and connection to his roots that he treasured deeply. Ron spent much time during childhood exploring the outdoors. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and hiking and loved to tell stories of his adventures exploring the Kiamichi Mountains and other parts of southeastern Oklahoma, all of which fostered a lifelong love of nature.
Ron’s work for the federal government eventually brought him to Texas. He spent his early years in Texas being a gentle and affectionate father to his three daughters. However, he also found a new love - Dallas Cowboys football. He and Trene had season tickets for years - through thick and thin, he would say. And while he always loved and rooted for his Sooners, he enjoyed sports so much that you could often find him at a Longhorn basketball game, just for the sheer joy of the game.
