Thomas Benny Bruce

Thomas "Benny" Bruce 79 of Longville passed away on Friday in a local hospital surrounded by his family. Benny was born on November 28, 1931 and was raised in the English Bayou Community.

Preceded in death by his parents Thomas E. Bruce and Minervia Loftin Bruce and son Darrell W. Bruce and the mother of his children Lois Collingwood Bruce.

He is survived by 3 sons Michael S. Bruce, William A. Bruce wife Cindy of Lake Charles and John T. Bruce of Laughlin, Nevada, 3 daughters Katherine A. Bruce of Lake Charles, Debra G. Bruce and Patricia S. Vidrine of Longville,1 brother Jim Bruce of Moss Bluff, 3 sisters Margaret Cromwell of Lake Charles, Norma Boblett of Moss Bluff, Virginia Gilbert of Sulphur. He has 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Was active in basketball, 4-H club and represented Calcasieu Parish at Pelican Boys State in Baton Rouge in 1949. He graduated from Marion High School in 1950.

He joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War he enlisted on October 10, 1950 and was honorably discharged on August 9, 1954. He was a 1st machinist mate and held the title as a Water King aboard the USS Cogswell (DD651) where he received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal. From there he owned and operated Bruce Repair on Highway 171 near DeRidder, La. and Bruce's Sawmill. He worked on many construction jobs along the Gulf Coast as a outside machinist. He also worked and retired from Conalco Consolidated Aluminum, and Citgo Petroleum Refinery. After retirement he enjoyed gardening and working on his many projects. The family would like to thank Evangeline Home Health, Christus St. Patricks Hospital Geriatric day program, and the ICU Doctors and staff for their compassion and kindness during this long and stressful time. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

His visitation is at Johnson Funeral Home on Monday November 28th from 2PM-9PM and will continue Tuesday from 8AM until time of service.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday November 29th at 10AM at Johnson Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Old Ritchie Cemetery in Moss Bluff. Proceeding over the service is Pastor Luke Liechty.

Pallbearers are Jeffrey Bruce, Caleb Vidrine, Kody Bruce, Dustin Cole, Matt Bruce and Noah Hoots.