Richard Bruce

Dea “Richard” Bruce, 88, of Tomball, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Richard was born in Menard, Texas, to Roy Leon Bruce and Verdice Marie Hinkle on August 17, 1938. Along with his two sisters, Royleen and Maureen, Richard, was raised on the dairy farm of Johnnie Hinkle and Cora Magnolia Livingston-Hinkle after their parents divorced. Following World War II, his father married Georgia Bruce. Richard had two half-sisters, Susan Welch and Debbie Bruce, and two half-brothers Johnny Bruce and Robert Bruce. Richard grew up in Godley, Texas, where he graduated from Godley High School in 1956. He then moved in with his father in 1957 while attending college. While living there, he met Joyce Ann Hart, one of the two daughters of Woodrow Wilson Hart and Marilyn Joyce Baylor Hart.

On September 4, 1959, Richard married Joyce Ann, who remained the love of his life for over 67 years. Their first child, Heidi Lyn, was born in 1965, followed by Bryan Allan, in 1968, and Blair Anthony, in 1969.

Richard graduated from Texas College of Arts and Industry in Kingsville, Texas, with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1961. He subsequently obtained a Master’s Degree in Education in 1963. In addition to graduating from Texas A&I University, he attended Arlington State College, Del Mar College, Texas Christian University, the University of Houston, and Texas A&M University.

During the summer before beginning his professional career, Richard worked as the assistant store manager at Irby’s Dime Store. Richard’s first job as a teacher was in Riveria, Texas, teaching 5th and 8th grades. Then, he moved to Spring Branch and taught 5th grade for many years until he was asked to serve as Principal of Pine Shadows Elementary School in 1963 until 1966. He went on to open a new open concept school, Thornwood Elementary, as the Principal in 1966 where he served until 1972. Following this, he moved to the Katy School District in 1972 to become the Director of the District Personnel Office and subsequently the Director of Education in the Office of Curriculum in the Katy Independent School District. During the years he served in Curriculum Development, Richard began the Title 1 Program, helping students with learning difficulties. He retired in 2002 from the Katy School District after proudly serving a total of 42 years in education.

His faith life and serving in church was always important to Richard. He served as a Bible Class teacher in the Spring Branch Church of Christ for 10 years and a Deacon for 8 years before helping to start the Fry Road Church of Christ. While at Fry Road, he served as both Deacon and then Elder before moving to Tomball, where he taught junior high and high school classes for 15 years at Kleinwood Church of Christ. He also wrote and printed a book, “The Good News Story: God’s Plan for Humanity’s Redemption,” to share with friends and family his understanding of God’s will for humanity.

Richard has also enjoyed serving his community. Since moving to Tomball, he served on the Tomball Economic Development Board for more than a decade, from 2010 to 2024. He also served on the Home Owners Association committee for Spring Pines, his Tomball neighborhood.

Richard was a man of many talents. He was an avid wood worker and could often be found in his garage workshop working on a project. For decades, he helped his children and grandchildren with many home improvement projects, including furniture making. He loved the outdoors and one of his great pleasures in life was working in the yard. Through his vision and efforts, he created a beautiful backyard complete with gazebo, stream, bridge, koi pond, paths, and rose garden. One of his greatest joys was being “Grandy” to his 7 grandchildren. He built swing sets, ziplines, and sandboxes, in addition to a large model train layout in a play room for them. Some of his favorite activities became attending school events and sporting games for his grandkids with “Goo.” He also enjoyed vacations with his family, including Colorado, California, Disneyworld, and Rosemary Beach. During his retirement years, he loved taking cruises with his wife, family, and friends as he traveled the world. History and heritage were important to Richard. He helped preserve family histories for both the Hart and Bruce families, as well as writing his own memoirs for his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joyce Ann, along with his children, Heidi Lyn Hoeffner (Barry) of Kemah, TX; Bryan Allan Bruce (Chantel) of Colorado Springs, CO; and Blair Anthony Bruce (Stephanie) of Spring, TX; along with his grandchildren Sean “Taylor” Sheehan, Austin Layne Bruce, Wesley Blair Bruce, Juliette Marie Hoeffner, Cole Allan Bruce, Kyle Thomas Hoeffner, and William Richard Bruce. Richard is also survived by his siblings Maureen Green, Susan Welch, Debbie Bruce, and Johnny Bruce.

Richard was a member of Kleinwood Church of Christ and leaves a legacy of faith, family, and love to his children and grandchildren. A service honoring Richard will be held on Monday, November 23, 2026, at 1 o’clock in the afternoon, with visitation prior from noon to 1pm at Kleinwood Church of Christ at 16651 Kleinwood Drive in Spring, TX. Words and prayers of comfort may be shared with the family at www.kleinfh.com.