Mahlon Bruce Slocum

(Mahlon) Bruce Slocum, 90, of Grapevine, Texas, passed away October 28, 2024. Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Bruce was an Army Veteran who served with the US Army Artillery from 1955-1957 as a forward observer.

A graduate of York Community High School, Elmhurst, Illinois and the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, Bruce embarked on a career in sales and trade show management for the printing industry that took him across the United States. Retiring at 62, he found a second career with the Grapevine Colleyville ISD, as a crossing guard and bus driver; retiring for a second time at 73.

He married his wife Melanie Olson Slocum in 1993 and they embarked on a life filled with travel adventures that took them around the world from the Caribbean, Europe and Mexico to South America and China. Bruce loved the outdoors and he and Melanie spent a lot of time boating and sailing. When he wasn’t on the water, you could find him outdoors either camping, riding motorcycles or crewing for a hot air balloon team. An avid classic car enthusiast, Bruce loved convertibles and treasured his vintage MG, Thunderbird, Jaguar and four Mustangs.

Passionate about World War II, he was a member of the Happy Warriors at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas and spent a lot of time as a World War II reenactor and lecturer on World War II history. He was also a member of the Commemorative Air Force and the National WW II Museum.

Bruce was a member of Whites Chapel Methodist Church, Southlake, Texas, and served on the Classic Adult Fellowship Committee.

Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, Lucille Irons Slocum and Chester David Slocum, and his brother, Chester David Slocum, Jr. He is survived by his beloved wife, Melanie; two daughters, Jill Hawkins of Napoleon, Missouri, and Laura Robertson and her husband, Randy of Parker, Texas; grandchildren Josh Robertson and his wife Katherine of Coppell, Texas, Chelsea Robertson of Allen, Texas, Parker Robertson and his wife Diana of Allen, Texas, Nathan Hawkins and his wife Katie of Blue Springs, Missouri, Daniel Hawkins and his wife Madison of Buckner, Missouri, Stephen Hawkins and his wife Makenzie of Buckner, Missouri, Grace Braga and her husband Felipe of Leawood, Kansas, Caleb Hawkins and Gloria Hawkins of Napoleon, Missouri; great-grandchildren Graham and Tucker Robertson of Coppell, Texas, Paisley and Lainey Hawkins of Buckner, Missouri, and Jack Hawkins of Blue Springs, Missouri.

A memorial service will be held in Grace Chapel at White’s Chapel Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with a reception following the service. Inurnment will be at Blue Bonnett Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Colleyville, on a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to White’s Chapel Methodist Church, the National WWII Museum, or the Commemorative Air Force.