George Eugene Bruce, age 78, passed away December 5, 2020 at Riverview Regional Medical Center in Gadsden, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents George Wayland Bruce and Martha Mae Bruce (Grubbs) and sister Sarah “Sadie” Lane Geiger (Bruce). He is survived by his wife Linda Bruce (Centanni) and their children Paige Batten (Bruce) and Jansen Bruce. Grandchildren Nicholas Batten, Sarah Batten, Brynlee Herron (Bruce) and Lauren Bruce. Great grandchildren are Porter and Amelia Herron.
He was born and raised in his hometown of Boaz, Alabama where he started out delivering groceries for his parent’s grocery store, Bruce and Castleberry. The story is that he could barely see to drive over the pickup truck’s steering wheel because he began delivering when he was only 10 years old. He played on every sports team possible growing up and was an avid Alabama football fan. He never missed watching a game…EVER. He graduated from Boaz High School in 1960 and started college at The University of Alabama where he pledged Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and continued with those friendships throughout his life. He finished his Business degree at Livingston College where he met Linda, his wife of 57 years. They raised their family in Boaz where he worked many years in the Mobile Home Industry. Golfing had always been something he enjoyed as well and he appreciated time spent with his buddies on the course.
Unfortunately, in 1997 he suffered a sudden brain injury and his wife retired early to care for him. They decided to move to Gulf Shores, Alabama where they lived until 2016 and enjoyed a very fun-filled life with many new friends as well as old that came to vacation at the beach. Everyone that knew him loved him. His quick wit and flair for telling a funny story are remembered by so many. Even though he was dealt a lot of health issues he never complained at all and had retained his vibrant and funny personality. His ability to make others smile and getting to know all about them was something he loved to do. Chances are he knew exactly where they were from as well as their relatives too. Simply put he never forgot a face, never knew a stranger and was loved by all who knew him.
A family graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Boaz, Alabama on December 17, 2020. Due to the current Pandemic, a future “Celebration of Life Memorial” will be held in 2021 at McRae Funeral Home in Boaz at a safer time and will be announced once an appropriate time is determined.
