Leonard J. Bruce, 92, passed away peacefully in his home on the 11th of July 2012. Leonard was a leading entrepreneur and innovator in the safety and health distribution and manufacturing industry as well as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Leonard was born in Chicago, Illinois on the 29th of February 1920. After marrying Valerie Olsen in 1942, the two followed Leonard's keen marketing instincts and moved to Houston in 1947 to pioneer the industrial safety equipment distribution industry in the Gulf Coast region. With limited funding, a sharp intellect and relentless determination, Leonard founded Guardian Safety Equipment Company, later changing the company name to "Vallen" as a representation of Valerie and Leonard's joint venture. They continued to build their dream in Houston and were blessed with five children. By 1995, the years of perseverance had come to fruition. With the help of the unparalleled dedication of the Vallen family of associates, Leonard had grown the company from a small office space in downtown Houston to an internationally-recognized corporation and a true American success story. Leonard served as founder, chairman and CEO until Vallen Corporation was sold in 1999. In 2003, Leonard and Valerie established an endowed chair within the School of Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University in addition to a previously established scholarship fund. Leonard will be remembered by his constant example and entrepreneurial spirit.
Leonard was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Valerie Olsen Bruce; son, Leonard "Lenny" J. Bruce, Jr.; and siblings, Fred, Estella and Mary. He is survived by his children, daughter, Robin Valerie Bruce; son, Robert William Bruce and wife Janice; daughter, Christine Louise and her husband John Hilliard; and son, Carter Matthew Bruce. Leonard also leaves behind six grandchildren, James ("J.T."), Lauren, Amanda, Christina, Elizabeth ("Lizzie") and Mitchell, as well as five great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Madeleine, Jake, Samuel and Allie. Leonard was also blessed with four devoted caregivers, Connie, Sandra, Lucy and LiLiana.
The memorial service is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 16th of July, at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Katherine F. Picot, Associate Rector for Pastoral Care, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Mr. Bruce's name may be directed to St. Martin's Episcopal Church Building for Life, 717 Sage Rd, Houston, TX, 77056; the Alzheimer's Association , Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter, 2242 W. Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030; or to the Leonard and Valerie Bruce Endowed Scholarship at Texas A&M University, Engineering Development Office, attention: Kathy Moss, at 334 WERC, 3126 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-3126
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