Joe B. Bruce, age 77 of Denton, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at Presbyterian Hospital of Denton. He was born May 27, 1928 in Denton to Earnest and Fredda Mae (Skinner) Bruce. He married Mary LaDell Cogdell on August 11, 1958 in Marietta, OK. Joe was retired from the U.S. Air Force and Texas Instruments, where worked as an Expediter. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church, Elks Lodge and V.F.W.

Joe is survived by his wife Mary LaDell, daughter Jody Ann Bruce of Tampa, FL., step-daughter's Julie Sevier of Little Elm and Darby Binder of Dallas, sons Joe Bruce Jr, Barry Bruce, and Brian Bruce all from Tampa, FL., step-son Steven Owen of Lewisville; sister's Juanita Searfoss of Cortland, N.Y., Mary Painter of Nocona, and Carolyn Branch of Denton; brother's Wallace Bruce of Irving and Olen Bruce of Hill Top Lake. Two brother's Frank and Curtis Bruce, and sister Gladys Sanford, preceded him in death. Eight Grandchildren and two great grandchildren survive him.

Funeral service will be 3 pm Friday September 30 at the Chapel of Mulkey–Mason Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Swisher Cemetery in Lake Dallas. The Rev. Carl Roberson will officiate the service. Visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 7 pm at the funeral home.

Mulkley-Mason Jack Schmitz and Son in charge of arrangements.