Obituary published on Legacy.com by Caudle-Rutledge-Daugherty Funeral Home on Oct. 15, 2025.
Bruce Ray Holbrook, age 86, of
Lindale, Texas, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 10, 2025, in his home surrounded by loved ones.
Early Life
Bruce was born on August 15, 1939, in
Lindale, Texas, to Ransome Cullen Holbrook & Corine Estelle Cross. Growing up in Lindale, he developed a love for high school football, a front porch swing, Sunday morning church, a healthy game of dominoes, family meals, and old country music. He was a "gentle giant," known for his humility, meekness, and old-fashioned values.
Education & Career
Bruce graduated from Lindale High School in 1957. After high school, he joined the United States Navy, where he proudly served his country for four years. After the Navy, he worked at Kelly Springfield Tire Company, where he was respected for his humor, work ethic, and love for his family.
Family & Personal Life
In 1968, Bruce married the love of his life, Martha Seago, and together they built a loving home and family. They were blessed with four children, Shane, Stacie, Stefanie, and Sunnie. As a grandparent, Bruce was known for being a calm shoulder for a grandbaby to rest, a soft-spoken word of encouragement, and giving everyone a nickname. His life was forever changed when Jack was born; he and Jack developed a special bond that melted his rough exterior and turned him to Christ. Outside of work, Bruce enjoyed playing dominoes with his friends, meeting at 3:00 on Sundays with his beloved sisters, and spending time with his family. Friends and family will remember him for his kindness, humor, generosity, faith, resilience, work ethic, and devotion to his family.
Legacy
Bruce is survived by his wife, Martha, of 57 years, his son, Shane Holbrook, his daughter and son-in-law, Denny and Stacie Wheeler, his daughter and son-in-law, Jon & Stefanie Fleming, and his daughter and son-in-law, Edman & Sunnie Warner. His grandchildren: Taylor Holbrook, Trinity Holbrook, Casey & Taelor Cheshier, Tucker Williams, McCabe Wheeler, Cole Williams, Jack Fleming, Jenna Fleming, Lexie Warner, and Cash Warner, and one great-grandchild, Mattye Cheshier, along with his sisters, Deb Benefield and Linda Crawford, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cullen & Corine Holbrook, his sister, Dolores Goodman, and his daughter-in-law, Marci Holbrook.
Services
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct 15th, from 6:00-8:00 at Caudle Rutledge Daugherty Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow on Thursday, Oct. 16th, at 10:30 at First Baptist Church, Lindale, with Tom Buck presiding. Interment will take place at Sabine Cemetery,
Lindale, TX. following the service.
Pallbearers:
Jon Fleming, Edman Warner, Denny Wheeler, Cash Warner, Casey Cheshier, Tucker Williams, McCabe Wheeler, Cole Williams
Honorary Pallbearer:
Jack Fleming
Honorable Mention:
Jerry Lockhart, Jerry Crews, Dwayne Prayter, Frankie Turner, David Earl Malone, Elton Caldwell, Doug Melvin
Memorial Contributions
In place of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to First Baptist Church Lindale's building fund in honor of Bruce & Martha Holbrook.