Howard Leon

Bruce

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Howard Leon Bruce

Feb 13 1948 - Mar 28 2019

Howard Leon Bruce Jr. passed away at the age of 71 on Thursday March 28, 2019 in Denison, TX from stage 4 esophageal cancer. His mother Louise, sister Robyn and daughter Brandi were at his side as he went to join his Savior in heaven.

He was born on February 13, 1948 in Clovis, NM to his very proud parents H. Leon Sr. and Louise Bruce. In his youth, his daddy worked for Phillip’s Petroleum and the family moved between oil camps in LA, NM, and TX. He played Little League, rode his horses, Babe and Ginger, and found his love for music and piano during these times. While living in Portales, NM Howard began playing in the school band and excelling in math and science classes. He enjoyed activities at the Baptist Student Union at Eastern New Mexico University and had lots of fun with Bruce and Blandford grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. He soon found a passion creating things with his hands, including cooking, and would spend hours making model airplanes and cars. He participated in farming, dairy, and ranching activities, swimming in cattle tanks, riding world championship horses, and branding cattle. He even helped fight a grass fire using wet tow sacks.

The family moved to Fort Worth, TX where he had a lively time in a huge band, marching in parades with his sister Robyn and traveling. He also competed in the championship jazz band and learned to play music by ear.

He met Gaye Lynn Taylor, his wife of 30 years, at a revival in which his daddy was preaching and Howard was playing the piano. They married in 1970 and enjoyed their early married life. He attended the University of Texas in Arlington from which he graduated with a bachelor’s in Civil Engineering. They purchased a Cessna 172 and Howard received his pilot license in 1975. Howard followed different job opportunities which afforded them the ability to live in NM, OK, and TX. During this time his 5 children were born: Brandi, Cayle, Carrie, Scott, and Cameron.

While working for the Federal Government in Forth Worth, TX, an opening became available in Colorado, a state that Howard had always desired to live. The family moved to their mountain home in Conifer, CO in 1992. It was here that they were able to explore and have adventures that Colorado had to offer. There were frequent sightings of bears, elk, mountain lions, and other mountain animals, often in their own back yard. Many other adventures were had during their many camping trips, white water rafting, snow skiing, shopping and dining in mountain towns like Breckenridge and Estes Park.

During this time his children completed their education, got married and began their own families. Howard continued to work for the Federal Government until he retired in 2010. Once he became an empty nester, he decided to down size and sold the house in Conifer, CO. This allowed him the freedom to live in VA, back to CO and finally to TX to act as a live in Grandpa to help his children at different times in their lives. Retirement also gave him more time for his individual bible study time and listening to classical music stations which he thoroughly enjoyed.

He is preceded in death by his father, H. Leon Bruce Sr.; his son Cameron Taylor Bruce; and grandson Traiss Gentry Summers. He is survived by his mother, Louise, and sister Robyn (Joe); His daughter Brandi (Randy) Summers and children Matthew, Kyla and Jacob; his son Cayle Bruce and daughters, Channing and Addison; his daughter Carrie (Jake) Johnson and children Gabriel and Taylor; and his son Scott Bruce. He is also survived by close aunts and uncles; his niece and nephew and their children.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00PM Monday, April 1, 2019 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel, Whitewright, Texas. Chaplain Mike Hermanson will officiate. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6-8PM Sunday, March 31, 2019 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel, Whitewright. Howard will be cremated at a later date.

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Memorials

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