Sgt. Maj. James Frederick Bruce, Sr.

Sergeant Major James F. "Jim" "Sarge" Bruce, Sr., U.S. Army (Ret.), 72,
of Bardin went to be with the Lord Sunday morning at his residence following an
extended illness.
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Jim was born in Bedford, Indiana and had been a resident of Bardin for the
past 24 years, coming from Bismark, North Dakota.
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He served honorably in the United States Army for over 29 years and was a
veteran of the Vietnam War, having served two tours of duty. During his distinguished
career in the military he received the following decorations, medals, badges,
citations and campaign ribbons: Army Good Conduct Medal (9thAward),
Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16), National Defense Service Medal,
Overseas Service Bars-2, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars,
Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation,
Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon-2, Army Achievement Medal,NCO
Professional Development Medal-5, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak
Leaf Clusters and Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster.
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He was a member of the Providence Baptist Church in Bardin where he had
served as a Sunday School teacher. He had been a member of the former
Vietnam Veterans of Putnam County. He enjoyed camping, traveling, and
watching Western movies.
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Preceding him in death were his father and step-mother, Kedrick and Irene Keal;
his mother, Leatha McCormick; a brother, Richard Keal; a sister, Cheryl Ann Keal;
a step-brother, Donald Schafstall; a sister, Norma Jean Bruce.
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Surviving are his wife of 23 years, Eunice Wilkinson Bruce of Bardin; three sons
and daughter-in-law, Ronald Glass of Orlando, James F. Bruce, Jr. of Palatka,
and Kedrick and Nicole Bruce of Germany; four daughters and sons-in-law,
Marie and Jeff Eason of Columbus, Ohio, Patricia and Brian Hart of Clay City,
Indiana, Deborah and Kevin Moore of Bardin, and Marie and Bill Thompson
of Bardin; two brothers, Danny and Anna Keal of Stuart, Fl and Larry and
Vickie Keal of Etowah, Tn; his step-father, Charles McCormick of Marion, Indiana;
a step-sister, Carol Pearson of North Vernon, Indiana; two step-brothers, Bill
Schafstall of Marion, Indiana and Bob Schafstall of Kentucky; 13 grandchildren,
Christopher Eason and Amanda of Clinton, In; Benjamin Eason of Columbus, Oh;
Timothy Bruce of Ga; Christina Bruce of Germany; Stanley Hart and Isabelle
Hart of Clay City, In; Jaime Watts and Jacob Watts of Palatka, Fl; Brandon Moore,
Brianna Moore and Blake Moore of Palatka, Fl; Jessica Legrand of Kansas, Ill and 10
great grandchildren, Madison and Lauren Turchi of Clinton, In; Hailey Eason and
Braiden Eason of Columbus, Oh; Josef Bruce of Ga; Jason Fanton of Clinton, In; Amira
Legrand, Baylee Melton and Adelynne Melton of Kansas, Ill; Lilith Eve Bruce of
Germany.
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Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at Masters Funeral
Home in Palatka with Bro. Eric Botley, Pastor of the Providence Baptist Church,
officiating. Bro. Billy Babb will deliver a eulogy.
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Burial will follow in the Etoniah Cemetery in Bardin with full military honors bestowed
by the U.S. Army. Calling hours will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at
the funeral home.
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Flowers are gratefully accepted or memorial gifts may be sent to Hospice of the Nature
Coast, 927 South State Road 19, Palatka, FL 32177. Friends may sign the online
guestbook at www.themastersfuneralhomes.com.
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Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is in charge of arrangements.
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• *NOTE**

James Married Twice:
1.) Carolyn Sue Glass Married: 2 Oct 1962 & Divorced: 12 Sep 1989
2.) Eunice Bonita Wilkinson Married: 15 Mar 1990