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Bruce Glenn Brookshire went to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, April 16, 2010. Affectionately known as "The Prune Peddler," Bruce led a long and energetic life, one in which he was an inspiration of optimism as a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle and loyal friend.
A celebration of Bruce's life will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at Green Acres Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today, April 19, 2010, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. A private burial will be held prior to the memorial service.
He loved the Lord and worshiped Jesus Christ. In that commitment, he served as a deacon, elder and trustee of the First Presbyterian Church. He is a past member of Green Acres Baptist Church, where the music ministry spoke to his heart each Sunday.
Bruce was born December 3, 1928, to W.T. and Louise Brookshire, deceased. He enjoyed a wonderful childhood attending Gary Elementary School, Hogg Junior High School and Tyler High School, where he played football and was president of the student council. He continued his education by attending the New Mexico Military Institute, where he lettered in boxing and football. He was inducted into the NMMI Hall of Fame in 1990.
His further education included attending the University of Texas at Austin, where he belonged to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and the Silver Spurs (honorary men's service organization). It was at UT that Bruce met the love of his life, the late Peaches Parker Brookshire. He loved to tell the story of how he first laid eyes on her in the Kappa Kappa Gamma 'pledge line.' They were married August 30, 1950. They had two sons, Bruce Tim and Britton Parker.
In 1950, Brookshire interrupted his education to come home to Tyler to work alongside his father in the grocery business. Bruce held leadership positions of store manager, district supervisor, VP of personnel, executive VP, and in 1969, he served as president of the family business.
After the death of the founder, W.T. Brookshire, Bruce became the chairman of the board of Brookshire Grocery Co., a retail supermarket chain of stores in 122 cities in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi, which employs 12,600 partners. Bruce's magnetic personality and infectious smile were well known to all employees. Bruce loved "the partners" and enjoyed being out in the stores to encourage and compliment their hard work. "We have a SMILE in store for you," "Pay obsessive attention to each customer," "We don't sell just food, we sell warm, friendly, courteous customer service!" were slogans Bruce not only created, but philosophies by which he strived to live.
Honesty and uncompromising integrity were tenents of his business dealings throughout his life. On many occasions, Bruce would privately give financial assistance to a partner who had a particular need. The stories of his personal gestures of kindness one-on-one to the partners are vast, each one a unique and a cherished memory of a remarkably kind gentleman.
There were 10 Brookshire Grocery stores when Bruce joined the family business. Throughout his 30 years as chairman of the board, his vision and leadership saw the company grow to 156 stores, entering new markets of competition in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. In 1968, he was instrumental in the warehouse relocation from Front Street to the current Loop 323/Old Jacksonville location of 128 acres.
He derived the development of employee recognition banquets to motivate and congratulate partners. Through his efforts of paying partners generously with excellent benefits, the company was protected from union membership. Bruce implemented a Christmas Gift Check about 40 years ago, to show year-end appreciation to all the partners in the company. More officers were promoted under Bruce's leadership than in any other time in the history of the company. He truly believed and valued the recognition of people.
Corporately, Bruce embraced the need for manufacturing as an artery for the company's success. In 2002, one of his greatest accomplishments was the supervision of the acquisition of 21 Albertson's and Winn Dixie stores that the management team converted and reopened in 28 days. His unwavering encouragement was a source of strength to the team of partners who diligently carried out the remarkable conversion in record time. Bruce instigated a timely Management Incentive Bonus given upon the completion of major corporate accomplishments. These and many other similar stories will be the respectful legend the chairman emeritus leaves behind.
Brookshire was an avid outdoorsman who traveled the globe on hunting and fishing adventures. He loved sharing this passion with his sons and grandchildren as he taught them to rattle up deer, set the hook on fish and enjoy being in God's nature. Other hobbies included tree planting and conservation, public speaking and reciting poetry. A true philanthropist, Bruce gave generously and often to charities in Tyler and throughout Texas. He wanted to help make life better for others. It was this unwavering compassion together with humility that found his name simply listed as 'anonymous' on many of his gifts. His smile was perpetual and contagious, and he will always be remembered for his unyielding optimism. Brookshire received the Boy Scouts of America, East Texas Area Council's First Distinguished Citizen Award in 1992. He received the Tyler United Way's Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award in 1992, the Life Member Award of the East Texas Peace Officers Association in 1996 and the 2005 Flame of Excellence Award from All Saints Episcopal School. In addition, he was a charter member of the National Salvation Army's William Booth Society, the Tyler Salvation Army Others Award and the American Cancer Society's Excalibur Award.
He served as one of the founding directors of Southside State Bank, a director of Citizens First National Bank, director of Texas Bureau of Economic Understanding, University of Texas at Tyler Foundation, Trinity Mother Frances Hospital Foundation, Tyler Catholic School Foundation, Educational Radio Foundation of East Texas, and was on the advisory board of the Regional East Texas Food Bank and Tyler Junior College Foundation Board. Past and recent memberships include Willow Brook Country Club and Hollytree Country Club. He has served as director of Tyler Kiwanis Club, Tyler Y.M.C.A., Smith County United Fund, Salvation Army and East Texas Hospital Foundation.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, W.T. and Helen Louise Brookshire; wife of 53 years, Peaches Parker Brookshire; his brother, Shirley Wood Brookshire; sister-in-law, Ann Howard Brookshire; and most recently his brother-in-law, Darrold Cannan.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Carrie Andrews Brookshire; his children, who were the joy of his life: Tim and his wife, Michelle, and Britt and his wife, Sunni; his nine grandchildren, who were the source of his pride: Amy, Clint, Garnett, Blake and his wife, Mollie, Chad, Ross, Caroline, Emma and Bruce. Each of their lives will forever be enhanced by the many lessons taught by their "Poppa" Bruce. Extended family members whom he adored include: Decie Johnston Brookshire, Kay Parker Cannan, Judy Parker Clymer and Ray Clymer, Alicia and Kevin Ryan; and many nieces and nephews: Mr. and Mrs. Brad Brookshire, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Womack, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Brookshire, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brookshire, Mr. and Mrs. Al Cannan, Ms. Connie Annas, Mr. and Mrs. Parker Cannan, Mr. and Mrs. Parker Ford and Ms. Garnett Ogden.
The family expresses a special thank you to Jeanell and Jesse Richardson for their many years of unselfish and faithful care. The family is most grateful for the professional care of the physicians listed below as honorary pallbearers. The family also wishes to thank the caregivers Karen Hopson, Tonya Stewart, Vernetta Stevens and Cherlynn Wheeler for their compassionate care during Mr. Brookshire’s illness.
Pallbearers include his friends: Jamie Boring, Frank Budde, Bob Buford, Herb Buie, Ray Clymer, George Deese, Bill Hartley, Dick Knowlton, Allen Locklin, Curtis Mewbourne, Jack Phillips, Judge Tom Ramey, Dr. Pat Thomas, Lewis Timberlake, Bernie Ward and the many dear friends who preceded him to heaven.
Honorary Pallbearers will be the past and present board of directors of Brookshire Grocery Co.; Bruce’s nephews, Johnny Skelton, Preston Triplett, James Hardin, Charles Davis, Marvin Massey, Rick Rayford and Bob Moore. Additional honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Ryan, Jessie Richardson, Harold Beaird, Dr. Svetislava Vukelja, Dr. George Plotkin, Dr. Royal Becker, Dr. Hamp Williams, Dr. Steve Keuer, Dr. Craig Harrison and Dr. Larry Anderson.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the All Saints Episcopal School, East Texas Crisis Center, East Texas Food Bank, Grace Community School, Salvation Army or the charity of your choice.
For more information or to express condolences visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Tony Bryant
December 19, 2024
I worked at Brookshire's warehouse from 1985 to 1990 and MR Bruce was an awesome individual! I recall the times of the company meetings at the oil place and he spoke with such integrity and purpose which is lacking today the company has lost its purpose since,, get back to your roots and keep your family in honor Mr Pune Peddeler your missed! Tony B
Matt Boggs
April 25, 2010
I worked several years at the Spring Hill Brookshire's. I felt I needed to pay my respects. Rest in Peace Mr. Brookshire.
Nancy Crawford
April 21, 2010
It was with great sadness that I learned of Mr. Brookshire's passing. While I did not know him personally, I know his son Tim and his daughter-in-law Michelle. Tyler has no two finer people. And because I know Tim and Michelle, then I know what a great person Mr. Brookshire was. He will be truly missed.
Judy Poole
April 21, 2010
We have been customers of Super One in West Monroe and Brookshires since the stores opened, old and new location, and have shopped in the Monroe store on N. 18th for many years also. We appreciate that Mr. Brookshire had the desire to bring Brookshires to our area. We consider the people who work there to be like family. May God bless your family. With sincere sympathy,
Judy W Poole
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Richard Martin
April 21, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Brookshire family during this time of great loss. May God be with you.
April 21, 2010
I feel I have been robbed due to never knowing Bruce on this side of Heaven. One day I will get to see him and thank him personally for what he and his family mean to The Salvation Army. Please know that we are lifting you up in prayer that the God of all comforts will be close beside you. God bless the Brookshire family.
Major Rick Raymer, Assistant DFW Metroplex Commander
Judy Carpenter
April 20, 2010
I have had the privilege of working for Brookshire's/Super One for almost 30 years and I was always impressed by Mr. Brookshire's genuine smile and kind voice. His philosophies of honesty, integrity and kindness have been a part of my life for all these years. I'm thankful for the role model that we have had in Mr. Brookshire. His life touched and enriched so many. My condolences and prayers for all of his family and close friends.
Margaret Lovell Matura
April 20, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Mr. Brookshire was not only my father's (Jim Lovell)employer, but a very dear friend to him. My family thought so very much him and all of the Brookshire family. God Bless.
Carla Gongre
April 20, 2010
My father, Harry Gongre, was a 26year veteran of Brookshire's and I'm proud to have followed in his footsteps to have worked for such a great company. May God watch over each member of his family at this time.
Rusty Hermann
April 20, 2010
Although I only had to pleasure to meet Mr. Brookshire once, at his grandson Chads graduation, I could tell from that encounter that he was certainly a special person. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the Brookshire family.
Sincerely,
Rusty Hermann
Machelle Good
April 20, 2010
I didn't know Mr. Brookshires very well but i work for Brookshires and i wish is family well.
Joyce Buford
April 20, 2010
Bruce had such a generous heart. I loved seeing his smile. I am so grateful for the contribution Bruce gave to Tyler and so many communities. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during these days.
Byron Hebert
April 19, 2010
Thank you for making Brookshire Grocery such a wonderful place to work. May God Bless your family through this difficult time.
Ann Earl
April 19, 2010
What a wonderful life well lived. Please know I am thinking of all of you.
Tim Fullen Family
April 19, 2010
Our thoughts are with you during this time of reflection. What a great legacy he left that lives on through the family.
Massenburge Family
April 19, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
James Redwine Family
April 19, 2010
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you during this time. May precious memories bring you comfort.
Steve Rumpf
April 19, 2010
Dear Tim & Michelle... I'm sure you will miss your father very much, but you must be so proud of his (and the Brookshire family) contribution to all of East Texas... What a man!
April 19, 2010
Carrie... God Bless you and all the kids and the rest of the Family. Steve & Nancy Gregg, Manhattan Beach, Ca.
April 19, 2010
The Lord blessed Bruce and you for several years by allowing you to borrow one another. All the best to you and the family.
Love,
Sharon & Dave Lefler - Bakersfield, CA
Misty Hughes
April 19, 2010
Mr. Brookshire cared about his employees and the community. I worked for the Brookshire Co. for 10 years and I always felt like family. He will be truly missed by all.
Stephanie Bond
April 19, 2010
I did not get the pleasure to ever meet Bruce, but I can only imagine how wonderful a man he was. Bruce's grandson Clint is a dear friend who has a loving and kind heart just like his grandfather. My thoughts are with Clint and his family. May God be with you all during this time of sorrow.
Gary Grace
April 19, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Janet & Gary Grace
Mitch Hawkins
April 19, 2010
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Juan Barroso / Brookshires Warehouse
April 19, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Mike Phillips
April 19, 2010
" We have never met a Man more true to his word, than Bruce Brookshire ". Our loss is Heaven's Gain. May God continue to bless the Brookshire Family.
Til we meet again,
Mike Phillips
April 19, 2010
I worked for Brookshire's Warehouse some 40 plus years ago. Bruce was always such a kind person to me and everyone around him. I still remember how Bruce would react when his wife, Peaches, came to the office. He would stop what he was doing and would be so excited to see her.
What a gentleman! Martha McGregor
Amy Aiken
April 18, 2010
I was so shocked to walk into Super 1 in Texarkana today and see the wreath at the front door with Mr. Brookshires name on it. I wanted to express my deepest sympathy to your family. May God be with you and help you find strength through this trying time. The Tyler community and all other communities have lost a great man and he will never be forgotten.
Jimmy Malone
April 18, 2010
I wish to convey heart felt grief at the passing of a great human being. I as a 25 year employee can only say the very best of the company I grew to love has now passed from among us. I have been blessed to know such a great man and great employer of people. I will miss him, and I am distraught of such a great loss to his family, and all his fellow partners who would call him more than a boss but a friend to us all as well. I feel he is in a better place now as a deserving man who lived his life as a Christian and friend to man should.God bless his family and continue to bless the company which he loved so much. We will all miss him greatly.
Reta Spradlin
April 18, 2010
It was truly an honor to have worked for Mr. Bruce in the Executive Office at BGC. He was a kind hearted gentleman who put others first. To his family, I know you will miss him, but I also know he left you with some wonderful memories to treasure forever.
One of the things I remember most about Mr. B was him walking the halls on St. Patrick's Day in his green jacket putting smiles on all the faces him came in contact with.
If you didn't know what kind of flower you was looking at just ask Mr. B, he knew every flower there was created by God. He loved the spring time.
What an appropriate time for him to leave this world, a time when new life is in full bloom...and he has started his new life in a wonderful place where we will be reunited with him again someday soon.
My prayers are with this sweet family, God bless you all.
Donald McClain
April 18, 2010
He was a true friend of me and my Dad and my father was the owner and operator of the "McClains Barber Shop" in Bergfeld Shopping Center and we all knew him and loved him as a gentleman and every time he met you he was like an old, old friend that he knew many years and he never forgot a face but we'll surely miss him very much and he will be in our hearts and minds for ever.
And this is one of the MClain's Donald J.McClain
Cathy Wegner
April 18, 2010
When you are sorrowful,look into your heart and you shall see that you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran
Your memories are great treasures - keep them near to your heart.
Prayerfully,
Gene Lipstate
April 18, 2010
I was a year ahead of him at Tyler High, and always thought highly of him. As a real youngster, I remember shopping with my Mother at the Original Brookshire Grocery Store. I do not know anyone in Tyler who did not respect that family. It is a priviledge that I can shop in Lafayette, LA at Super One and see Bruce's Father picture as you walk in the store.
Kerry Stevens
April 18, 2010
Mr. Bruce will be missed by all who's life he touched. I want the family to know that he touched mine in 1996. My wife's battle with cancer was in remission after great care from the company insurance. I wanted to thank everyone and knew the only way to do it was to write a letter to Mr. Bruce. I took it to Debbie Beall to get to him. Debbie told him it was a letter from a partner and asked him to read it. He smiled and told her no problem, just put it on his desk and he would get to it. He read it and then put it in the July issue of the Brookshire Briefs. Mr. Bruce did not have to do this, but that was the kind of man he was. He truly cared for all that worked for the company, even a 9yr fork driver he did not know. It meant the world to Freida and I that he did this. He planted many seeds of kindness and love that will continue to spread for years to come.
Thank you Mr. Bruce, for you set an example for all to follow.
Sincerely
Kerry Don Stevens
Dorothy Jordan Rider
April 18, 2010
Mark and family my condolence to the family. Since you know God you will make it through. Take all of your burdens to the Lord.
Kay Killingsworth Thedford
April 18, 2010
What a wonderful man he was! My thoughts and prayers are with Sunni, Britt and the rest of the family!
Cindy Caid
April 18, 2010
Mr. Brookshire will be missed by everyone whose life he touched. He absolutely made the room light up when he entered. He truly loved and cherished his family, and was kind to everyone he met. I worked for his mother for 8 years, and I know how proud she was of him. I worked in his home during Miss Peach's illness and saw that he was a fine Godly man in his public life as well as his personal life. It seemed his entire existence centered around making life better for other people and encouraging them to do the same.
Cheryl Campbell
April 18, 2010
The first time I was introduced in person back in 1994, I called him Mr. Brookshire. He immediately corrected me and said Mr. Brookshire was his father, he was "just" Bruce. The quality I most admired about him was that he not only said, but acted out, the idea that all men are indeed equal - no one better than another. It was such a blessing to witness that every time I saw Him.
My sympathies and prayers are with all the family members, including our Brookshire family.
Jan Barton
April 18, 2010
Mr. Brookshire was such a kind and wonderful man. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a warm greeting for anyone he came in contact with.
I just celebrated my 30th anniversary with Brookshire Grocery Company and am so fortunate to work for such a great company. I am thankful to Mr. Brookshire for his vision for this company.
He and I shared a love for holidays and I always looked forward to seeing his bright green coat on St Paddy's Day.
Sending prayers for peace and comfort to Ms. Carrie, Tim and Michelle, Britt and Sunni, and their families, and especially to my sweet friend Amy.
Cynthia W. Davis
April 18, 2010
I first met Mr. Brookshire over 30 years ago when I was given my first job at Brookshire store #21. He left a lasting impression on me thus I told my children of my experiences and people training working at the Brookshire Grocery company. I was most impressed that although others made a big fuss about his status, he and his brother Woody alike were just as down to earth and friendly as my next door neighbor. Both my son and daughter went on to work for the Brookshires company and had the pleasure of witnessing his genuine smile and contageous philosophy of "putting the customer first". He will be missed. May God comfort the Brookshire family in your time of bereavement.
Jerry Grunden
April 18, 2010
I had the pleasure of working at Brookshire's while in high school in the 70's. Mr Brookshire was a good leader and person to work for. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.
Elmer Austin, Jr,
April 18, 2010
Bruce adn I used to play cars inhis backyard whiere he grew up on S. College St. We were born less than 30 days apoart and have been friends for life. Our eldest son was
named Glenn Austin after my best friend Bruce. Our sincere
confolences to the Brookshire family. We have lost a loyal friend and classmate.----- Elmer and Jane Austin
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7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, Tyler, TX 75703
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