James Eugene Bruce

James (Jim) Eugene Bruce, 87, of Paola, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on February 25, 2025 at Olathe Health Hospice House.

Jim was born on January 25, 1938 to Eugene and Goldie (Harvey) Bruce at Rosedale, Ks.

Jim was always a hard worker, spent his early years working on the farm for Harold and Agnes Scherman, Delco Battery Co, Self Employed Concrete Contractor, Farmed for Ursuline Academy, he went on to work for Shade Foods where he retired. After retirement, Jim was not one to settle down, he worked doing part time maintenance at Sunflower Apartments and then on to loving his job and the social interaction he had at Do It Best Hardware.

Jim will always be remembered for his sense of humor, he loved playing pranks and joking with family and friends. He loved fishing, hunting and some of his last few hobbies was trying to perfect making a good homemade pie crust and watched many videos to help him accomplish this and he found a love for woodworking on the wood lathe.

Jim was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola, Ks.

Jim is survived by his loving daughters, Kathie Iverson (Cory) of Shawnee, KS, Chili Allen (Mark) of Fontana, Ks, Jamie Hawkins, Kelly Fricke (James) of Leavenworth KS. 10 grandchildren, Craig Browning, Carly Browning, Natalie Melichar, Skylar Hawkins, Garrett Allen, Jake (Brityn) Allen, Tanier (Hannah) Karigan, Lee Sutcliffe, Dakota Fricke and Kaydyn Fricke 8 Great Granddaughers, Reese and Emersyn Browning, Nora and Penelope Melichar, Amaya and Aubrey Hawkins, Parker Allen and River Karigan and not to be forgotten,his 4 legged companion Smoke.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Katherine Bruce, his Father Eugene W. Bruce, Mother, Goldie H Bruce Peak, Step Father, William Peak, Brother George Bruce, Step Brother Thomas Peak, Step Sister Betty White and Granddaughter, Melissa Browning.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Dengel & Son Mortuary-Paola Chapel from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Memorials are suggested to Olathe Health Hospice House.