James Aubrey Bruce

James Aubrey “Booty” Bruce, friend to all, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 21, 2024.  Funeral services will be at Green Hills Funeral Home on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 1:00pm with visitation beginning at 10:00am.  Burial will follow at Green Hills Cemetery with Joseph Rychlak, Chuck Ash, Jimmy Barron, Gus King, Browder Horn, and Dustin Chambers serving as pallbearers.

Loving survivors include his wife, Elisa Boswell Bruce; daughters, Kathleen Mackenzie “Daisy” Bruce, Alexandra Bruce Rychlak (Joseph); granddaughter, Daisy James Henriette Rychlak; brother, Gene Bruce (Debbie); and lifelong friend, Fitz Lee, as well as many extended family members.  Booty was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Elmer Bruce and Edith White Bruce; and his sister, Cheryl Bruce Kragh.

Booty was born in Bartow, Florida and initially came to Troy to play football for the Troy State University Trojans.  That developed into a lifelong love for Troy University and the town of Troy.  In his career with Horn Beverage, Booty was widely recognized in the community as the “Bud Man” and loved nothing more than being in the business of “making friends”. In 2015, he was honored as Troy University’s Alumni of the Year and, in 2019, he was named as a BSA Golden Eagle Honoree. He also served as the Troy Rotary Club President in 2018.  He was a devoted husband to Elisa, his wife of 42 years, and a loving father to his daughters, Daisy and Alex.  Booty was also a dedicated grandfather to his granddaughter and beloved namesake, Daisy James.   

The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bruce family.