Bruce Elliott Martin

Bruce was born March 5, 1945, to Ernest L. and Erma Jo (Finley) Martin in Oklahoma City, OK. The family lived in Oklahoma City while Ernest worked as an aircraft welder at Tinker Field during WWII. After the war, Ernest and Erma Jo moved back to McCurtain County, Oklahoma, with baby Bruce and Bruce’s two pre- school brothers, Everett and Phillip, to settle down and be closer to family. Eventually, two more boys, Randy and Brent were born. All the boys grew up and worked on the family farm near Haworth, Oklahoma.

Growing up Bruce attended church and school diligently. He loved collecting baseball cards and whenever he had the chance, you could catch him with a basketball shooting hoops. Although he enjoyed all sports, he had a natural talent and passion for basketball. His dedication and ability allowed Bruce to become a basketball sensation during four seasons on Coach Milburn Power’s teams and beyond. Bruce was the only player Coach Power ever started as a freshman on a varsity team. Bruce graduated from Haworth High School in 1963.

Bruce obtained his college education at Oklahoma State University where he earned BS and MS degrees during 1963-68. He supported his education at OSU by taking part-time jobs as a dormitory resident assistant and working for the famous BBQ King and OSU Ambassador, H. Clay Potts. He also joined the US Navy Reserves to help with his finances. After graduating, Bruce served in the Navy. During the Vietnam War, he was stationed at Subic Bay, Philippines from 1968-70, where he worked as athletic director. At the time it was the largest US Naval Base in the world. While there, he met Mary Bennett and they were married in February 1970. Sadly, Mary passed away before Bruce in November 2016. They were married 46 years.

After Bruce was honorably discharged from the Navy he and Mary returned to the United States. He spent the later part of the 1970-71 school year as the co-head baseball coach at Haworth High School. Then, during the 1971-72 school year, he led the Wright City, OK high school girls’ basketball team to their very first ever successful season. But it did not take long for Bruce to switch gears and join Civil Service, taking on the role of assistant sports director at Ft. Polk, LA. After his time at Ft. Polk, Bruce moved up to the sports director position at Ft. Bliss, TX. Bruce and Mary settled down in El Paso where they welcomed their son Matthew into the family.

In 1982, Bruce landed the position of sports director in Mannheim, Germany. This role eventually led him to become the chief of the United States Army Europe (USAREUR) sports in 1987. Bruce also spent time in Berchtesgaden, Germany serving as the recreation director for the Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC). He wrapped his career as the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) chief for Mannheim, retiring from Civil Service after 30 years in 2000. Once Bruce and Mary got back to El Paso, Bruce quickly got restless and took a job at the Ft. Bliss Rod and Gun Club, where he worked as the range safety officer until 2013. With actions, words and love Bruce put goodness into the world. We give thanks for his life.

Bruce is survived by his son Matthew, granddaughter Sadie, and grandson Charles, along with his brothers Everett, Randy and Brent and his beloved niece Karen (Martin) Lorraine, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Bruce was preceded in death by his wife Mary (Bennett) Martin, his parents Ernest L. and Erma Jo (Finley) Martin, his brother Phillip M. Martin, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial celebration honoring Bruce’s life will take place at a later date in McCurtain County, OK. He will be deeply missed and always remembered by everyone who knew him and loved him.