Olen Fred Bruce died of natural causes on August 17, 2024, in Houston, Texas. He was surrounded by loving family and caregivers at Avanti Senior Living. He had recently celebrated his 98th birthday.

Fred was born June 23, 1926, in Denton, Texas to Ernest and Fredda Mae (Skinner) Bruce. He was the fourth of nine children, and his early years reflected a crowded house in the years of the Depression. He spent hours outside exploring and playing. For part of his childhood, he went to live with his "Grannie" (Ellen Rose Lester). He always talked about his time in her home as transformative, and much of the man we all knew seems to be linked back to then. Fred thrived at school and skipped two grades before he graduated high school. Decades later, he loved to tell a story about making a 100 on a chemistry test. He would then explain it was mostly because the teacher asked the exact same questions on the review sheet.

Graduating from Denton High School (1940), Fred had to wait a bit to be old enough to enlist in the US Army Air Corps. While in training to be a gunner on a B-17, the war in Europe ended. The trainees were asked to make two lines: those who wanted to be pilots and those who did not. Fred all but ran to the non-pilot line, for which he was rewarded with a year with the occupation force in Munich. The pilot line was discharged the next day. His time in Germany greatly expanded his small-town experience, but he never spoke much of his military service later in life.

When he returned to Denton, Fred enrolled in North Texas State College. Completing his degree in drafting in 1950, he went on to work for Mecom Oil and Tenneco in Houston. While at North Texas, he met Mae McRae. They married in Fort Worth on December 26, 1950, and immediately moved to Houston. As the city grew, so did their family. Sara was welcomed in 1958, with Anne (1961) and John (1963) following soon after. Family time was marked by trips to see extended family in Denton and Forth Worth, and with trips to Galveston and South Padre. Large Bruce family reunions each summer were something he enjoyed greatly.

Retiring from Tenneco in 1988, Fred and Mae began building a home in Hilltop Lakes. Eventually relocating, he began decades of happy retirement. Taking great joy in yardwork and golf, he spent many hours outside. He continued his long activity in Masonic Lodge, joined Lion's Club and was an active member of First Methodist Church. He was able to enjoy the sounds of grandchildren bouncing around their home. He and Mae travelled a bit and enjoyed the years together.

In January 2023, Fred and Mae moved to be closer to family, leaving their beloved friends and the home they loved. Throughout the years, Fred was an immensely proud father and took great joy in the accomplishments of his children. His love and devotion to his wife never wavered and remained apparent to his last days.

Fred is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mae Bruce; his daughter Anne Spellings (Houston), son John Bruce (Oxford, MS); six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, as well as Anne's stepdaughter Ashley Damiani and her family. He was preceded in death by his daughter Sara, along with siblings Juanita Searfoss, Wallace Bruce, Peggy Sanford, Mary Painter, Joe Bruce, Frank Bruce, Curtis Bruce, and Carolyn Bruce.

A celebration of Fred's life will be held at 2pm on Friday, August 23 at Klein Funeral home in Cypress.