Bruce George Exley

Bruce George Exley was born was in Hialeah, Florida to Gladys and Robert John on June 20, 1946. He was the youngest of four children. He graduated from Hialeah High School and then accepted a football scholarship to Wichita State University where he started on the offensive line under Coach Bill Parcels; many of you may have heard of this coach. Bruce met his future wife at the first Pizza Hut in Kansas in 1967. Wasting little time, they married on January 20, 1968. During college, Bruce worked for Cessna Aircraft and after graduation, took a job at Pawnee Plastics. In 1972, their first daughter Cara was born. This engendered a bit of stress for young couple in that Carolyn was worried the new arrival would preclude their ability to keep up on payments for her beloved, new orange Monte Carlo. Happily, these fears proved false and the car stayed in the garage.

After college, Bruce remained in Wichita, moving through the ranks of Pawnee Plastics. Carolyn graduated from nursing school and accepted a position at Wesley Medical Center. In August of 1975, a second daughter Briana came into the family. A career promotion for Bruce took the group to Chicago, Illinois. The weather there was hideous and an opportunity for Bruce arose in Dallas, Texas. This meteorological change appealed greatly to Carolyn and Bruce accepted the promotion in 1980. Either that or move out of the house. Yet another career opportunity presented itself for the patriarch and the family relocated to Wichita, Kansas in 1987.

Here the daughters excelled in sports and Bruce never missed a game, meet, or match. He dearly loved to watch his daughters compete. Cara playing basketball"oh my god" that one shot! Briana was able to mold herself on a mat into shapes defying human anatomy. Their competitive efforts earned each of them the title of "Athlete of the Year". In their spare time, the two girls were elected prom queen. Unfortunately, their wishes for world peace were not granted. :)

In 1998, an opportunity for Carolyn was tendered from her previous employer which required the couple to move to Dallas. Bruce was in full agreement and they headed south again. Wanting to have a turn key residence with little or no yard to take care of, they inexplicably elected to purchase a hideously decorated home on the biggest lot they had ever owned. Bruce and Carolyn then proceeded to turn this blight into an oasis.

Their Belize adventures began in 2003 on their 35th wedding anniversary and a half dozen or more visits followed. Granddaughter Jaden was born late the same year. Grannie was with Briana while Pop Pop was sailing at Stockton Lake because he couldn't stand to see his youngest daughter in pain. Their second grand baby, known to the world as Joshua, joined the clan on January 6th, 2007.

During their time in Dallas, Bruce and Carolyn enjoyed many golf days with wonderful friends, college athletics and relaxing times in the pool. The blight truly became an oasis. Bruce relished the company of family and friends and new found acquaintances. Like Will Rogers, Bruce never met a stranger, as many of the condolence texts and emails from his Belizean friends attest.

Bruce is survived by his loving and faithful wife Carolyn, daughters Cara Bray (Jack), Briana Christy, grandchildren Jaden and Joshua Christy. He was preceded in death by his siblings Barbara, Lillian and Robert.

Family will receive friends for a visitation on Friday, September 10, 2010 from 6-8:00 p.m. at Allen Family Funeral Options. A funeral service to honor Bruce's life will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 3:00pm at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 5801 W Plano Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75093.

If desired memorials may be made in Bruce's name to "Wounded Warrior Project", P O Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 or 877-832-6997 or
www.woundedwarriorproject.org