Daylon Bruce, 86, passed away peacefully in his home on
Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, surrounded by his family. Memorial
service: 1 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church of
Arlington. Officiating, Dr. David Mosser and Rev. Dan Bruce.
The family will receive friends in the parlor at 11 a.m.
Memorials: First United Methodist Church of Arlington Organ
Fund or the charity of your choice . Daylon was born Nov.
25, 1925, in rural Mitchell County to parents Marshall and
Beatrice Bruce. He started school in Champion, a small
community outside of Loraine. Later, he attended Highland
School until his senior year when the family moved into the
town of Loraine, where he graduated in 1943. While in the
Army, he was an MP, guarding German prisoners in Louisiana
and Mississippi. Daylon met his wife, Anne, in 1946, and in
1947, they married in her parents' home. Their only child,
Rodger Daylon Bruce, was born in 1948. Daylon went to work
for Texas Electric Service Company in Sweetwater at the
power plant. After two years, he was transferred to the
commercial department, where he dealt with builders and
developers. This is where he found his calling-selling the
use of electricity. He was known by many in Sweetwater as
"Mr. Reddy Kilowatt." He was chairman of the board of
Highland Heights United Methodist Church and president of
Methodist Men. At one time, he was also the president of the
Sweetwater Evening Lions Club and chairman of the local
American Cancer Society. He and his best friend, Dub Adams,
were managers of the Elks Club Little League team. Daylon
and Anne were MYF sponsors at Highland Heights Methodist for
many years and both taught Sunday school. In 1969, the
company decided they needed this super salesman in
Arlington. He continued working with builders and developers
and especially enjoyed working with members of the Texas
Rangers Baseball Club who built homes in Arlington,
including Jim Sundberg, Mike Hargrove and Gaylord Perry. In
his first year in Arlington, he was voted top salesman in
the city, and in his second, he was voted top salesman in
the entire company and was presented the award by company
president Burl Hulsey. He was an active member of the
Arlington Noon Optimist and the Southwest Kiwanis clubs. He
was seen many Saturdays selling chances on a Nolan Ryan
autographed jersey or Troy Aikman autographed helmet. This
money went to fund programs for local children. Daylon was a
member of First United Methodist Church of Arlington and a
devoted member of the Adult Bible Sunday School class. It
became a tradition at the end of class for him to tell a
funny story. Daylon was loved by many people because he was
a dear friend, and an important member of his church, his
clubs and the community. He was truly a "gentle man" and
will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his
parents and two brothers, Marshall and Weldon Bruce.
Survivors: Wife of 64 years, Anne; son, Rodger Bruce and
wife, Carla, of Richardson; the light of his life, his
granddaughter, Emily Bruce of Dallas; brother, Merlyn Bruce
and wife, Lora, of Houston; nieces and nephews, Debra Bruce,
Charla Bruce, Helen Ireland, Anne Bruce "No. 2," Autumn
Mostavoj, Brandon Green, Chad Ireland, Kathleen Wolsfeld,
Greg Schatzle; a host of cousins; and many dear friends.
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