1926
Bruce
2012
Bruce Rich
October 2, 1926 — September 12, 2012
Henry Bruce Rich, Jr. of Amarillo, TX went home to be with his Lord September 12, 2012. He was a resident at The Cottages, an Alzheimer's home, since March 2011. He was born Oct 2, 1926 in Ft Worth, TX to Henry Bruce and Naomi Fanning Rich, Sr. On Dec 30, 1948 he married his one true love, Billie Ruth Harper, in Monahans, TX. She preceded him in death March 30, 2010. They made their home in Albuquerque, NM from 1968 until 2009.
His career was varied and full, first serving churches in Oregon as an ordained Southern Baptist pastor then eventually entering the field of education, first as teacher, then school principal and finally finishing his career with SRA, a subsidiary of IBM. He graduated Wayland Baptist University 1954 and later earned his Master's of Education from Oregon State University, 1961. Retiring at age 56, Bruce continued living a full and prosperous life. Bruce and Billie traveled full-time in their RV for three years seeing the country together and working with SOWERS (Servants on Wheels, Ever Ready). Bruce served as a Chaplin in Albuquerque and he was an integral part of Noon Day, a ministry that serves the homeless in Albuquerque. He served as Sunday School teacher to a beloved group of men at First Baptist also. Gardening was a passion of his and he studied to become a Master Gardener.
Bruce loved and cared deeply for his family; Linda Ruth Siegfried (Jerry) of Antioch, CA, Billie Diane Teague (Sam, deceased) of Amarillo, TX, Teresa Jan Gilbert, Bend, OR and Rodney Bruce Rich (Helen) of Amarillo, TX. He was 'Pa' to Isaac, Jacob, Kyle, Luke and Derek and 'Gaga' to Andrea, Amie and Jeremy. He was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren. He was the eldest of five children, and three siblings remain.
A celebration of Bruce's life will be held at 2:00 o’clock September 29th at Trinity Baptist Church in Amarillo. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia, Amarillo, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be sent to Wayland Baptist University C/O Missions Center PO Box 1291, Plainview, TX. 79072.
His career was varied and full, first serving churches in Oregon as an ordained Southern Baptist pastor then eventually entering the field of education, first as teacher, then school principal and finally finishing his career with SRA, a subsidiary of IBM. He graduated Wayland Baptist University 1954 and later earned his Master's of Education from Oregon State University, 1961. Retiring at age 56, Bruce continued living a full and prosperous life. Bruce and Billie traveled full-time in their RV for three years seeing the country together and working with SOWERS (Servants on Wheels, Ever Ready). Bruce served as a Chaplin in Albuquerque and he was an integral part of Noon Day, a ministry that serves the homeless in Albuquerque. He served as Sunday School teacher to a beloved group of men at First Baptist also. Gardening was a passion of his and he studied to become a Master Gardener.
Bruce loved and cared deeply for his family; Linda Ruth Siegfried (Jerry) of Antioch, CA, Billie Diane Teague (Sam, deceased) of Amarillo, TX, Teresa Jan Gilbert, Bend, OR and Rodney Bruce Rich (Helen) of Amarillo, TX. He was 'Pa' to Isaac, Jacob, Kyle, Luke and Derek and 'Gaga' to Andrea, Amie and Jeremy. He was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren. He was the eldest of five children, and three siblings remain.
A celebration of Bruce's life will be held at 2:00 o’clock September 29th at Trinity Baptist Church in Amarillo. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia, Amarillo, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be sent to Wayland Baptist University C/O Missions Center PO Box 1291, Plainview, TX. 79072.
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