Robert Thomas Bruce, age 91, of Edmond, Oklahoma, formerly of Meeker, Oklahoma was born on October 17, 1922 in Arnett, Oklahoma. He was the son of Edgar and Anna Nuttal Bruce. He departed this world on Thursday, September 4, 2014, in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Robert graduated from high school in Higgins, Texas in 1941.

He was a proud member of the Army Air Corp during World War II, having volunteered near the beginning of the US involvement and earned his wings in San Antonio, Texas. He was proud of the fact that of the members of his ground school he was the only candidate to qualify as a pilot.

After the war, he worked his way through college, attending Bethany Nazarene College, Panhandle State, Northwest Oklahoma and ultimately graduating from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Robert met his first wife, Lorraine Potter, while attending Bethany College. They married in 1949 and the couple had two children, Stephen Bruce and Carolyn Bruce. His first wife, Lorraine died in 1998.

He married Ruby L. Whitaker in 2002.

He began his teaching career in Balko, Oklahoma and thereafter taught in Perryton, Texas before moving to Harrah Schools where he taught Math and Science until he retired in 1981. After retirement, he continued to manage the farm where he was to live out the remainder of his life near Meeker, Oklahoma, until 2010 when his failing health forced him to enter an assisted living center.

Robert was a gentle man, a good neighbor, active in his church, and community. He was Sunday School Superintendent of Country Faith /Horton Chapel Church for many years. He also participated in church missions to Argentina and Brazil. He spoke often of his pride in the students that he taught and his spirit will live on through his acts of service and kindness.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Carolyn Bruce, brother, Vernon Bruce and sister, Betty Ruth Bruce.

Survivors include his wife, Ruby L. Bruce of Choctaw, Oklahoma, son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Terry Bruce of Edmond, Oklahoma, sister, Joan Stucker of Midwest City, Oklahoma, sister-in-law, Louise Bruce of Meeker, Oklahoma, two grandchildren, Nolan Bruce of Little Rock, Arkansas and Leah Bruce and fiance, Dax Clark of Edmond, Oklahoma and many other relatives and friends.

The family would like to express gratitude to Touchmark at Coffee Creek in Edmond and Centennial Hospice for their compassionate and loving care.

The family will be receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, 2014, at Smith-Parks Funeral Service, 2039 N. Tim Holt Drive, Harrah, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 8, 2014, at the Country Faith Church of the Nazarene, 338492 E. 1000 Road, Meeker, Oklahoma with Rev. Mike Meeks officiating.

Interment will follow at Rossville Cemetery, Rossville, Oklahoma.

Services are under the direction of Smith~Parks Funeral Service in Harrah, Oklahoma.