Kenneth Ted Bruce, Sr.

Kenneth Ted Bruce Sr. of Ragley, Louisiana passed away peacefully holding his youngest grandson Jake's hand in his home on Thursday, May 19, 2017. He joins his parents John William and Bessie Lee McCollough Bruce and his brothers Dan Bruce and Wallace Bruce in Heaven.

Kenneth was born August 7, 1931 in DeRidder, Louisiana. He graduated from Gillis High School and joined the US Army where he served as a member of the US Army 109th Engineer Fighting Battalion and was stationed in Germany. While stationed in Germany, Kenneth played basketball and boxed on special teams. After finishing his service to his country, he returned home and married his high school sweetheart Eddy Gene Elliott Bruce.

They started their journey together in Moss Bluff.  Kenneth served his community in the capacity of Justice of the Peace. During his 13 years of service he married over 100 couples.  He also purchased, subdivided and sold property.  Bruce Circle was one of the first subdivisions in Moss Bluff.

In 1973 Kenneth and Eddy moved to the family farm in Ragley. Kenneth lived a blessed life hunting, fishing, gardening and raising cattle on his farm.  He retired from Olin Chemical with 38 years of service.  Kenneth was well known in the community for his “field of dreams" aka "the junk pile." It's so huge it can be seen from satellite imagery from outer space; he enjoyed collecting anything of value or not! He never turned away anything that was free; he always would say "I might not be able to use it, but someone else might." If friends and neighbors needed a part or piece of metal to complete a project, he enjoyed bartering and trading his "treasures” that he had collected over a lifetime. But what he enjoyed most was helping his friends and neighbors.

The thing that Kenneth treasured the most was his close friends and family. Kenneth is survived by his wife Eddy Gene Elliot of 62 years; three children: Ted Bruce and wife Janelle of Ragley; Genie Bruce Rougeau and husband Douglas of Dripping Springs, Texas; Charlotte Bruce White and husband Bill of Singer. His legacy will be his 22 grandchildren: Kristin Rougeau of Tampa, FL; Drew Rougeau of Dripping Springs, TX; Justin Bruce and wife Karen; Bridget Bruce Sonnier and husband Brandon; Katie Bruce; Jake Bruce all of Ragley; Jennifer Bruce McDaniel and husband Dave of Moss Bluff; William Hardwick; Jill White; Lauren White of Singer; Scotty White and wife Ashley of Okinawa, Japan. Great grand children: Jack, Heidi, and Sarahbeth Bruce; Mackenzie, Maci, Maylee, and Mia Sonnier.  Hunter, Owen, Mitchell, and Amelia Lynn McDaniel.   His beloved nieces Susan Bruce and Colleen Lemoine of Lafayette and his "favorite" nephew Bill Bruce of Orange, TX.  Cousins he loved like siblings: Gwen McCollough Genius, Nelda Bruce Monk, Julian, Perry and Robert Bruce.

The family would like to thank Dr. Micah Leleaux, Heart of Hospice Professionals: Connie and Sam.  Companion Care of DeRidder Professionals: Edith, Jessica and Anna. Pastor Gill Arthur and First Baptist Church of Dequincy.