Charles Robert Bruce

The Rev. Dr. Charles Robert Bruce went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 15, 2014. He was born on January 18, 1931, to Dr. Thomas Benton Bruce, Sr., and Clarissa Whitaker Bruce in Camden, South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dr. Thomas Benton (Bud) Bruce II, and his sisters Miriam Bruce Boyd, Clare Bruce Yelvington, and Minnie Sue Bruce Waller. Dr. Bruce was a veteran, serving in the Florida National Guard (1947-49) and the United States Air Force (1953-55). Dr. Bruce earned undergraduate degrees from the University of Florida and Florida Southern College. During his time at UF, he worked as a radio announcer at WRUF, Gainesville. His love of radio led him to other positions at WIPC, Lake Wales, WONN, Lakeland, and WINN, Atlanta. He received his Masters of Divinity from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in 1963, and his Doctorate of Ministry from Drew University in 1985. Following his graduation from Emory, he was ordained an Elder and served the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church for 35 years, retiring in 1996. He served White Temple Methodist Church (later 1st United Methodist Church Miami) as associate pastor from 1963-67; Riverview United Methodist Church, Ormond Beach, 1967-71; Reeves Memorial United Methodist Church, Orlando, 1971-78; Trinity United Methodist Church, Northport, 1978-79; 1st United Methodist Church, St. Augustine, 1979-85; St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Brandon, 1985-1989; and 1st United Methodist Church, St. Cloud, 1989-1996. Dr. Bruce is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ethel Lunsford Bruce; his children, Robert Whitaker Bruce (Katherine); Julia Bruce Rang (Chuck); Clark O’Kelley Bruce; and Amelia Bruce Wines (Terry). He was especially proud of his four grandchildren, Stephen Allen Rang, Clarissa Louise Rang, Miriam Catherine Rang, and Charles Alexander Rang. Family and friends can pay their respects to Dr. Bruce at Fisk Funeral Home, 1107 Massachusetts Avenue, St Cloud, FL 34769, on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, from 4:00-7:00 PM. Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at 1st United Methodist Church, Kissimmee, at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at 2:00 PM at the Lake Wales Cemetery. Floral arrangements are welcome, but in lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Bruce’s memory can be made to a favorite charity, or to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, 51 Children’s Way, Enterprise, FL 32725 (http://www.fumch.org), or to 1st United Methodist Church Kissimmee Building Fund, 101 W. Dakin Avenue, Kissimmee, FL 34741 (www.kissimmeefumc.org).

Charles Robert Bruce

January 18, 1931 - November 15, 2014