Bruce E Smith

He was born November 29, 1950 in Pueblo, Colorado.

Bruce grew up a military brat. He followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the US Air Force in March of 1970. Over the course of his 24-year military career, Bruce traveled the world with his family and worked as a visual information craftsman, or graphics designer. He had a passion for the arts, more specifically painting and drawing. Prior to joining the Air Force, Bruce had his work displayed at a local art gallery in Pueblo, CO. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for the Department of Defense (DOD) as part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) until 2019, when he retired for good. Bruce thoroughly enjoyed the retiree life, rarely moving from his recliner.

Bruce met his boo, Regina, at a house party in 1968. Little did they know they’d still be together 57 years later. They were married on July 10, 1971. They were inseparable, a dynamic duo. The love they shared was truly once-in-a-lifetime and an inspiration for their family. They could often be seen holding hands and cracking jokes with one another.

Bruce was a very proud family man. His greatest joy came from being a father, who always put his loved ones first and offered unconditional love. Teri was his and Regina’s first child, Bruce’s pride and joy. He always looked forward to their daily phone calls, where Teri shared updates about what went on in her world. He was beyond proud watching his son, Marcus, pursue his love and passion for music as he played the trumpet for the Trojan Explosion Marching Band (Virginia State University). He also enjoyed mentoring and coaching Marcus’s little league football teams and basketball teams as he grew up.

Anyone that knew Bruce, or as he became to be known as Poppy, knew about Amara and Briana, his granddaughters and his passion for coaching them in bowling. His enthusiasm and support pushed them both to pursue bowling at the collegiate level, with both girls receiving scholarships. Briana bowled for Virginia State University, while Amara bowled for the University of Nebraska. His proudest moment as Poppy was watching Amara and her team win the 2021 NCAA National Women’s Bowling Championship on ESPNU!

Bruce’s favorite sport was football. He loved the Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, and Baltimore Ravens. He loved watching Lamar Jackson play. His favorite pastime was watching sports with his loving wife, Regina.

May his legacy live on through the lives he touched.

He is survived by his wife, Regina Smith; his daughter, Teri Smith; his son, Marcus Smith; his granddaughter, Amara Smith Speights;his brother, Doric (Donna) Smith; his brother in law, Ronald Masterson; his sister in laws, Kandace Thomas and Sharon Moore; his fur baby, Tokyo Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothy Smith; his sister, Yvonne Armstrong; and his son, Reginald Smith.