THOMAS H. BRUCE

THOMAS H. BRUCE Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home Thomas H. Bruce passed away peacefully at Kadlec Hospital in Richland, Washington on February 19, 2018, with his son, Kevin by his side. Tom was born March 18, 1933, in Akron, Colorado, to Ray and Blanche Bruce, growing up in Dayton, Washington, along with his five siblings. His senior year in high school, he was a part of the state championship football team in 1952. After high school, he attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg and played football before being drafted into the U.S. Army. Tom served his country proudly during the Korean War. Before being drafted, he married his high school sweetheart, LaVerne Long. This past summer they enjoyed attending their 65th high school reunion in Dayton with all their classmates. The training he received in the Army as a field wireman, prepared him for his employment by Pacific NW Bell Telephone. They lived in a 33' Spartan trailer moving from job to job from Walla Walla to Grangeville before settling in Pasco in 1961. There they raised their children, Pam, Kevin and Cindi. He worked for the telephone company for 20 years before taking over the family farm on the Kahlotus highway. He worked tirelessly on the dryland wheat farm for 24 years before retiring in 1999 and moving into Pasco. Tom and LaVerne enjoyed their later years by snow birding in their 5th wheel to Arizona where they made many new friends. Tom never met a stranger. He always had a project to do, whether it was restoring antique cook stoves, repainting the house, helping a neighbor or tinkering in his shop; Tom didn't stay idle for very long. He donated an antique stove to the Smith Hollow School and the Palouse Museum in Dayton, as well as a stove to each of his grandchildren. He lived an honest, hard-working and a generous life with a family that loved him and whom he dearly loved. We take comfort and rejoice in knowing that he turned his heart toward Jesus and received the peace he needed to let go. Tom is survived by his wife of 65 years, LaVerne; his three children, Pam Williamson, Kevin (Janee) Bruce, and Cindi (Ron) McDonald; 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. A private graveside service will be held in Pomeroy, Washington. A celebration of life with family and friends who knew and loved Tom will be at the Pataha Flour Mill at 1:00 p.m. on March 10th. The family invites you to sign the tribute wall at www.muellersfuneral homes.com. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to your favorite charity in his honor. A special thanks to Kadlec Hospital, Richland Rehab, Pasco Davita and Fresenius Dialysis Center for their care and support.