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Charles Eldridge Bruce
(1921-2007)
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Col. Charles Eldridge Bruce, 85, beloved husband of Mary
Ann Bruce for 60 years, was sent off for his last tour of duty on March 23,
2007. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends. Christian, Son, Husband, Father, Friend...A Real American War Hero.
A direct Scottish descendent born on Historic Ames
Plantation in rural western Tennessee, close to the town of Grand Junction,
Charles was the third of four sons born to John W. Bruce and Celia Lax Bruce.
The Bruce family was well known in the Angus cattle business worldwide. He
graduated from Grand Junction High School and The University of
Tennessee-Knoxville before entering the United States Army Air Corps.
He was a commissioned officer and received his pilot wings Class 44B at Moore
Field, Mission, Texas, where he met Mary Ann Starr. He was a member of the 367th
Fighter Group 9th Air Force in Europe, serving in the 392nd and 393rd squadrons.
He was very proud of the fact he flew 127 combat missions. One tour in P-38
Lightnings and one-and-a-half in P-47 Thunderbolts. Battles and Campaigns he
participated in were the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater with three
Bronze Stars for Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns, and he was
especially proud of his combat action on Christmas Day 1944 during the Battle of
the Bulge. Several of his World War II Decorations and Combat Citations include the French
Aur Nedak with six Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Unit Badge, and the Distinguished
Flying Cross for his heroism and flying bravery.
After World War II he lived in McAllen, and began building residential homes.
Charles was a proud member of McAllen Lions Club for many years. The family
moved to Fort Bend County in 1976.
Charles was active in retail business, insurance, residential subdivision
development and home construction in McAllen, the Rio Grand Valley, and Houston,
including Park Hollow Place, Park Ridge, West Hollow, and Shenandoah. He also
owned and managed Weber's Root Beer Bottling Co.
Charles is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ann Starr Bruce. Together they
had two sons, a daughter, and eight grandchildren: Charles Starr Bruce, Barkla
Bruce Tully and son-in-law, Tim Tully; grandsons, Trevor Tully and Travis Tully;
granddaughter, Taryn Tully; son, Brock Eldridge Bruce and daughter-in-law, Emily
Bruce; granddaughters: Bailee Bruce, Blaire Bruce, Bradie Bruce, and Blaine
Bruce; and many extended family members throughout the world.
Charles and Mary Ann Bruce were members of the Oak Lake Baptist Church where a
memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. March 28, 2007. The church is located
at 15555 West Airport in Sugar Land.
For those wishing, in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be
sent to the Oak Lake Baptist Church Building Fund in behalf of the Charles
Eldridge Bruce Memorial. An After-glow reception in celebration of his life will
be held immediately following at Shadow Hawk Country Club in Richmond.
Fort Bend Herald -
Tuesday, March 27, 2007 1:01 PM CDT
http://www.herald-coaster.com/articles/2007/03/27/obituaries/bruce.txt
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