Charles "Ralph" Bruce

Charles "Ralph" Bruce, age 84, of Island City, died September 2, 2011 at a local care facility with his family at his side. A service will be held on Saturday September 17, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Canyon City Cemetery followed by a reception at the Outpost Restaurant. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.

Ralph was born on August 12, 1927, the son of Arvalee and Golden Lucille (Thompson) Bruce in Aldridge, Missouri. The family later moved to John Day where he played on the 1944 Championship Football Team. He graduated from Grant High School in John Day with the class of 1945. He served with the United States Navy in both the Pacific Theatre and the Atlantic Theatre in the post war clean-up. On January 12, 1947 he married Braddie May Laughlin in Canyon City. He worked as an engineer for the Forest Service in Ukiah, Glenwood Springs, Colorado and Avery, Idaho before working in Fairbanks, Alaska for the Army Corp of Engineers. After his retirement they returned to Canyon City where he was active with the Masonic Lodge, serving as Master twice. He was also active with the Shriners, Scottish Rite Masons, Eastern Star and the Elks Lodge. He served as Mayor of Dayville from 1992-1993. He was a member of the Episcopal Church. In 1996 they moved to the Grande Ronde Valley. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, traveling to Yuma dn Quartzite and visiting with his friends. Braddie preceded him in death on January 10, 2008. On June 10, 2008 he married Constance "Connie" Ott Abell in Elgin, Oregon.

Survivors include his wife, Connie of Island City; children and their spouses, Craig and Joan Bruce of Bend, Sandy and Gene Rysdam of Elgin and Shiela Bruce of Bend; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in his memory to the Shriner's Hospital in care of Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.

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