JAMES HOMER BRUCE SR. was born July 27, 1940. He was affectionately known as: “Jimmy, Flyaway and Grampy. He was one of thirteen children born to William and Esther (Johnson) Bruce. James was preceded in death by both his parents and eleven of his siblings, his name’s sake James (Jimmy or Jim Jones) Homer Bruce Jr. and his granddaughter Sharla Yvonne-Destiny Bruce. James received an honorable discharge from the United States Army Private 1st Class. He was a paratrooper of the 101 Airborne Division called The Screaming Eagles, specializing in heavy weaponry. James was also an expert machine gun and pistol marksman James was very handy around the house, and he keeps an arsenal of mechanic books to keep his vehicles in tip-top working condition. He enjoyed watching boring stuff like Field and Stream, National Geographic, and Monday Night Football on television. James carried the famous Bruce trait of drinking coffee and Pepsi Cola. Flyaway had a great love for his grandchildren and often called them all “Chump Change.” He loved motorcycles and was a member of the Boogie Down Motorcycle club. He liked music and dancing, after hearing the song, “The Roof Is on Fire”, he coined the phrase: To THE ROOF! He lived by the motto: “If it feels good do it” which he often said a lot! James leaves to cherish his memories, one brother Charles (Buddy) Bruce, five children Carla (Timothy) Smith, Gwendolyn (Maurice) Strickland, Joyce (Darrell) Jackson, Raphael (Jeanette) Bruce, and Boyd (Katherine) Bruce. Also, twenty-five grandchildren, sixty- one great-grandchild, five great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of James Homer Bruce, please visit our floral store.