Rudy Bruce was born in Hillsboro, Texas on October 6, 1947, the son of Guy Russell and Gertrude Elizabeth (Davidson) Bruce.  Rudy attended school in Whitney, Texas and graduated from Whitney High School in May 1966. Rudy married his high school sweetheart, Karissa Lynn Kirby, on his birthday in 1966. Rudy and Karissa had been married for over 58 years when he passed from this life. He enlisted in the United States Air Force immediately after graduation and served honorably for over 20 years. Rudy was a Vietnam veteran, serving at Korat Air Base in Thailand in 1967-68. Having held numerous positions, he ended his career as an electrician.

After an Honorable discharge, Rudy moved with his wife and daughter, to McAlester Oklahoma where he joined the ranks of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. After a couple of years as an Officer at the State Penitentiary, he was able to secure a position at the Jackie Brannon Correctional Center by utilizing his background in electrical maintenance. There he liked to tell people he just got out of the "Big House". However, due to multiple traumas during his time in the service and many years of hard work, he ultimately retired from his disabilities after 10 years of service with the department of corrections.

Rudy and Karissa had one daughter, Sheila Diane. Sheila was very special to him, and after marrying, blessed him with 3 more girls to love: Morgan, Sydney and Taylor. Due to his retirement, Rudy had a great deal of time to spend with his daughter and granddaughters and loved almost every minute of it. Rudy loved to PaPa-sit (babysit) all the girls but the youngest was just a baby, so he got the most time with her. He wouldn't use the word favorite, but he took her everywhere he went. Rudy's most recent blessings came in the form of two great-granddaughters: Eden and Olivia, who both preferred him over just about anyone else.

Rudy was known for his ability to create moments of remembrance. He was a master at causing both smiles and groans simultaneously, endearing everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. As a Vietnam veteran, Rudy never failed to honor those he met or to share his pride in his beloved USAF. In addition to the great love for his daughter, granddaughters and great granddaughters, Rudy's fondness for El Caminos and Wagoner HS football was well known. He loved people and he made friends with pretty much anyone who would talk to him. A supervisor at JBCC once said if you asked Rudy what time it was, he would tell you how to build a clock. Rudy was known for being gracious and helping anyone in need. Even so he will be most remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Rudy leaves behind his wife, Karissa; daughter Sheila; granddaughters: Morgan, Sydney, and Taylor; along with future sons and grandsons-in-law: Rick Horne, Austin Taylor, Colby Weber, and Levi Haley; great-granddaughters: Eden and Olivia; brothers: Ron and wife Tracey, Gery, and Brack and wife Polly; his granddaughters father Rick Stafford; numerous nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

The family will greet friends at a Visitation on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 5 to 7 pm, in the Chapel of Mallett Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Rudy Bruce's life on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Mallett Funeral Home and Crematory.

A Committal Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, with Air Force Military Funeral Honors Team.