Bruce Hansford Greathouse

Bruce H. Greathouse, 79, passed away Oct. 28, 2010, at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas. Mr. Greathouse was born Aug. 8, 1931, in Ornt Hill, W.Va., (Greenbriar County). He was the son of James Franklin and Lillian Cameron Rose. In 1948, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served with the 187th Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division and was a decorated combat veteran of the Korean War. Among his many military awards were three Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. After being wounded in combat operations, he was promoted to Sergeant and served in an intelligence unit based in Japan. After his military service, he returned to Tennessee. On July 11, 1953, he married Ella Elizabeth Jones under a walnut tree at the Tennessee/Virginia state line. During the early 1970's Mr. Greathouse served as the chief of auxiliary police for East Cleveland. After moving to Geauga County, Mr. Greathouse began his full-time law enforcement career as a deputy under Sheriff Roy Steinfurth. Later, he became chief of detectives under Sheriff Carl Henderson State Patrol. After leaving law enforcement, Mr. Greathouse served as the bailiff for Chardon Municipal Court in Chardon. In 1982, he moved to Tyler, Texas and pursued his life's love for tractors by working for American Ford Tractor. He retired in 1994. Mr. Greathouse was very active in amateur radio. He was one of the founders of the Tyler Amateur Radio Club. His call sign was "Kb5mvp." He also loved flying model airplanes and fishing on Tyler Lake in his boat. An avid deer hunter, he always looked forward to his annual trips back to Virginia for deer season with his brothers-in-law. He is survived by his wife, Ella, of Tyler, Texas; daughter, Cathy (Tim) Del Vecchio of Vienna, Austria; son, Daniel (Diane) of Eastlake; son, Michael (partner, Joe Frank Brown) of Liberty City, Texas; and daughter, Karen (Jimmy) Bullard, Gilmer, Texas. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Daniel Bruce Greathouse of Mentor, Kyle Richard Greathouse of Mentor, Timothy F. DelVecchio of Newport News, Va., Richard C. DelVecchio of Cleveland Heights, and Jamie Bullard of Gilmer, Texas; stepgrandchildren, Andy Calori III and Jimmy Dean Bullard; and stepgreat-great-grandson, Andy Calori IV. He was preceded in death by brothers, James "Jay" Franklin, Jack O., Elmer, and Jan Richard; sisters, Tina Catherine Greathouse, Lillian Garnett Wonderlin "Patty"; and son, James Franklin Greathouse. The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010, at Lloyd James Funeral Home in Tyler, Texas. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, at Tyler Memorial Park.