Bruce Wayne Monroe

Bruce Wayne Monroe passed away on December 20, 2025, after living with Parkinson’s disease. He was 72 years old. Bruce was born on January 16, 1953, in Spokane, Washington, while his father was stationed there with the United States Air Force. He later returned to Waco, Texas, where he was raised and attended school. He graduated from Richfield High School in Waco in 1971 and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University in 1995.

Bruce spent his career at Central Texas Iron Works, where he began as a welder and worked his way up to Project Manager. He oversaw steel projects both locally and internationally, including a nine-month relocation to Thailand.

In 1974, Bruce married Jamie Porter, and together they raised four children.

Bruce volunteered with the Heart of Texas Parkinson’s and Caregiver’s Support Group and served as its President in 2023. Bruce had a lifelong love for working with his hands. He enjoyed building and repairing things and took pride in figuring out how they worked. A couple of his most notable projects was he built a violin entirely from scratch and made beds out of steel using his welding expertise. These projects were a true reflection of his patience, skill, and attention to detail. When he was not in the workshop, he could often be found riding his motorcycle, enjoying the freedom of the open road, or spending time hunting, where he appreciated the quiet, focus, and connection to the outdoors.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Monroe and Sybil Monroe, and his brother, William Monroe.

He is survived by his brother, Charlie Monroe (Cheryl); his children, Kirk Monroe (Amber), Lisa Briscoe (Raymond), Shelly Monroe, and Clinton Monroe; the mother of his children, Jamie Monroe; his grandchildren, Lily Pelchat, Kenneth Monroe, Harper Briscoe, and Roman Briscoe; nephews Aaron, Adam, Matthew, and Mark Monroe, sons of his late brother William; nephew Hunter Monroe and niece Nicole Monroe, children of his brother Charlie; and other extended family members.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on January 16, 2026, at Waco Memorial Funeral Home.

In keeping with his wishes, Bruce donated his body to science through the Willed Body Program.