M. Bruce De Bord

Mr. M. Bruce DeBord fell asleep peacefully at his home in Pikeville, Tennessee on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 after suffering a sudden hemorrhagic stroke four days earlier. He was 84 years old. Born in Pikeville, Tennessee on June 6, 1941, he was the second child of Samuel Franklin DeBord and Mattie Jane (Martin) DeBord. He was born in the twilight of the Great Depression, when his father farmed and pursued available employment opportunities, including at the recently founded Fall Creek Falls State Park. Bruce always spoke fondly of his years “on the mountain,” learning to raise livestock and work their family farm productively. The lessons learned about hard work, discipline, commitment and sacrifice were formative, as his work ethic was admired throughout his professional career. He attended elementary school at Sampson, where grades 1-8 were taught in three rooms. He attended Bledsoe County High School for grades 9-11, at which time his family moved to Florida, where he graduated from St. Cloud High School. He married Norma Gasaway, of St. Cloud, FL on Jun 6, 1960, and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. In addition to Norma, he is survived by his son, Ken Franklin DeBord, and twin daughters Janette Louise (DeBord) Anderson and Janice Marie (DeBord) Miller, daughter-in-law Lori (Gatch) DeBord, and sons-in-law George “Dutch” Anderson and David Miller. He has eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren who love him dearly, all of whose lives he was involved in, and supported in all their activities. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth (DeBord) Steinmetz, brother-in-law Richard Steinmetz, sisters-in-law Rose DeBord and Linda DeBord, nieces Victoria DeBord and Anita Campbell, and nephews Rick Steinmetz and John Irvin DeBord. He was preceded by his parents and brothers Brenes DeBord and John DeBord, and sister-in-law Carolyn DeBord. Bruce has many friends and relations, both in Florida and in Pikeville, TN. Bruce worked a variety of jobs as a young man, often simultaneously, to support his loving family. His grandchildren are perhaps most impressed by his time as the projectionist of the Cloud Theater in St. Cloud, FL. He ultimately accomplished a 38-year career at Martin Marietta Corporation’s Electronics and Missiles Division, as a documentation control manager, and worked in support of the company’s Pershing and Patriot missile programs, among many others. His leadership qualities were recognized by others, who encouraged him to run for elected office. He was elected to the Osceola County School Board, on which he served twelve years, including a term as Chairman, during a period of rapid growth, expansion, and modernization of Osceola schools. His legacy is recognized on plaques at several of the schools which were planned and constructed under his leadership. Though he built a successful career and family in Florida, in his last decades, the seasons were divided between his homes in St. Cloud, FL, and Pikeville, TN, near places he loved all of his life: Fall Creek Falls Park, and the former DeBord farm of his youth. He served the churches he attended, as deacon, choir member, and usher. He and his wife Norma are members of Kissimmee Christian Church. His Christian faith was foundational to his life, words, and deeds. He was a superb example for his children and grandchildren, of a Christian life well-lived. He entered into the presence of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, when his body died on August 13. His family and friends will always remember the unconditional love and compassion he showered upon them, especially in the face of discomfort or loss, his tremendously generous investment in his family, his merry good cheer that always kept a song in his heart, and his unfailing faith that held his vision straight ahead through all the storms of life. He will be interred at Osceola Memory Gardens, Kissimmee, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Kissimmee Christian Church.

M. Bruce De Bord

June 6, 1941 - August 13, 2025