Bruce Wright Perry

He was born at home in Whelen Springs, Arkansas, on October 6, 1930. He lived much of his life in Gurdon and Arkadelphia with the last 20 years in Hot Springs.

Bruce is predeceased by his parents, Louise Simmons Allnut and step-father Dick Allnutt. He is survived by his chosen family: Sandra and Danny Rowe and their family; Linda and David Bullard and their family; Sherley Shores, care giver and companion extraordinaire; Kathy Patterson and other First Step employees; and his neighbors at On Our Own.

He worked as a bus-boy at several restaurants in Gurdon and Arkadelphia for 20+ years: one of the earliest was at Horne’s Café in Gurdon (’58-’59), followed by Gables Restaurant in Arkadelphia, and for many years The Town House Restaurant in Arkadelphia. During those years, many remember Bruce riding his bike all over Gurdon. Later in Arkadelphia, Bruce raced around as an early moped driver!

After The Town House Restaurant was sold, Bruce’s mother and Sandra moved Bruce to Opportunities, Inc. in Texarkana, Arkansas, where he lived for several years. In 1998, he moved to Hot Springs to On Our Own, a wonderful First Step residential living program for adults with disabilities where Bruce was a loving inspiration full of happiness and kindness to all. He was a warm, welcoming greeter at Wal-Mart until his retirement. Bruce loved rooting for the Razorbacks and the Dallas Cowboys and watching the Macy’s Day Parade and John Wayne movies. He always updated everyone with the latest weather report, and he never turned down any opportunity for good food- or a Budweiser. To know Bruce was to love him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Step, 407 Carson St, Hot Springs, AR 71901.

A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held 6:00 pm Thursday at Gross Funeral Home Chapel with his friend Sandra Rowe officiating. His ashes will be interred at Rose Hill Cemetery in Gurdon near his mother.