E. Wesley "Doc" Bruce, 86, died Sunday evening, May 26, 2013, at Hospice of Union County. Born June 27, 1926 in Anderson County, SC, he was the youngest of 12 children born to the late John Tinsley Bruce and Iva Cromer Bruce.
Mr. Bruce graduated from Iva High School in 1943. He joined the U.S. Army, where he served from 1944 to 1946. He served in Tokyo with General McArthur’s GHQ in 1945 and 1946 with the occupation forces of Japan. Following his military service, Mr. Bruce attended Anderson College in SC, and graduated in 1951 from the University of South Carolina with a BS Degree in Pharmacy. He moved to Charlotte in 1954 and worked at Sterling Drug Store. He once filled a prescription for Judy Garland when she was performing in Charlotte. In 1966, he opened Mint Hill Pharmacy, which he owned and operated until 1986, when he sold his store to Eckerd’s Drugs. He retired with Eckerd’s in 1991. Mr. Bruce is believed to be the first Pharmacist to practice in Mint Hill.
Mr. Bruce was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Mint Hill V.F.W., charter member of Mint Hill Lion’s Club and member of the Mint Hill Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Bruce is survived by his six children, Julie Bruce Maes of Springfield, OH, Betsy Bruce Keith and husband, Clark, of Monroe, NC, Kimberly Bruce Crowe of Matthews, NC, Sandra Bruce Ellison and husband, Tim, of Weddington, NC, Eric Bruce of Chicago, IL, and Andy Bruce and wife, Kellie, of Cornelius, NC; four grandchildren, Jonathan Crowe of Charlotte, NC, Matthew Crowe of Matthews, NC, and Jesse Keith and Anna Keith, both of Monroe, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 2013, at McEwen Funeral Service, Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, with his funeral service to follow at 2:00 in the funeral home chapel. The Rev. Henry Ward will officiate. Interment will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Union County, 700 W. Roosevelt Boulevard, Monroe, NC 28110.
Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.
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