Bruce L. Byers July 29, 1947 – September 26, 2026

Bruce L. Byers, 79, of Magnolia, Texas, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2026, following a prolonged illness.

Bruce was born on July 29, 1947, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he spent his childhood. He attended Youngstown State University in Ohio, where he met Patricia through friends at social events. They began their life together in Erie, Pennsylvania, and were married for 56 years, until her passing on December 25, 2025.

Career

Bruce worked his way up through FMC Technologies, a global provider of oil production equipment, starting in drafting equipment and systems and eventually becoming System Sales Director in Measurement Solutions. The role took him overseas to cover Far East sales for several years, with business travel from Mongolia to China, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Australia. While the distance was hard at times, Patricia eventually joined him in Singapore and occasionally traveled with him, and his daughters visited once or twice a year. Allison even lived in Singapore for a time. He later moved into North America sales to be closer to family, and before retiring he served as Project Pursuit Manager in Measurement Solutions. Decades in international business taught Bruce how to connect across cultures, and those who crossed his path couldn't help but feel the influence of that wisdom.

Life and Interests

Above all, Bruce loved his family. He also loved cars. As a young man he repaired and rebuilt them and earned money from his hard work, and he spent a lifetime reading about them and watching every kind of racing. He loved music, especially Blues and 70s, 80s, and 90s rock, and often shared favorite songs with his family. He took up golf during his career and kept playing after retirement and through his cancer treatment, even if only a nine-hole round, finding real friendship on the course, and finding his experience at St. Andrews in Scotland to be a favorite memory of his. In retirement, he joined the Single Action Shooting Society, where he competed in cowboy action shooting and made close friends. He is known in those parts as Neshannock Leo. Bruce was always prepared for anything. The family was always amazed at witnessing how many accidents he happened upon, where he needed to hop into action to save the lives of those in need.

Bruce was a friend to every woodland creature on the property: deer, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and birds. They knew him. Strays have always found him. They felt safe raising their young in his backyard, walked right up to him for food, and, if he hadn't been out in a while, came to the windows looking for him.

Faith and Family

Bruce grew up with two sisters, Miriam (Timmie) and Barbara, and loved them and his parents dearly. Growing up, he enjoyed many a family outing to the Eintracht Picnic Grounds, a scenic park-like setting along Neshannock Creek in New Castle, owned by the Eintracht Singing Society, dedicated to preserving German history and culture. Patricia and he had three daughters, Nora, Tiffany, and Allison, all born in Pennsylvania. Bruce often connected with his daughters through athletics including running – through botanical gardens, football stadium sprints, running bleachers, and playing basketball. Together they played with trains and laughed about funny things they saw or heard throughout the day. Life took the family to Corpus Christi and then to Houston, where they settled. In Corpus Christi, Bruce volunteered in leadership roles at his church. His faith grew into the foundation through which he walked through life, and it led him to serve those in need. He regularly read scripture and his devotions and spent much time in prayer. To the end, he led with a philanthropic vision, supporting the programs he believed in: the Lutheran Church, MD Anderson research, and dog rescues. Bruce loved nature and the water, calling himself “a fellow floater in the river of life.” He understood well that hardships are the pathway to peace.

Bruce is survived by his daughters, Nora Haenggi (Brian), Tiffany Staley, and Allison Horner (Scott); his grandsons, Jacob Haenggi, Ian Haenggi, and Gavin Staley; his sisters, Barbara Chira (Cor) and Miriam "Timmie" Chandler; his niece, Jessica Merkner (Matt Benotsch); his nephew, Brian Byrne (Jennifer); and his cousin Nancy Patton (Robert).

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia; his parents, Charles and Dolores Byers; son-in-law, Aaron Staley; aunt, Marjorie (Margie) McLaughlin; uncle and aunt, Ralph and Katherine Byers; cousin, Douglas Glass; and his brother-in-law, Rick Chandler.

A memorial service will be held at Klein Funeral Home in Magnolia, Texas, October 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

Visitation and a light breakfast with the family will be provided from 9-10 AM.  Everyone attending the service is invited.