BRUCE LOREN BARTLETT, SR.

Bruce Loren Bartlett Sr., of Richmond, Missouri, age 76, born to Fannie Noss Bartlett and James E. Bartlett in Ramona, OK died Thursday, September 22, 2011 at North Kansas City Hospital after an extended illness.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jane Redwine Bartlett, who resides at the home, and his children, Bruce Loren Bartlett, Jr. and wife Donna of Loves Park, IL; Melanie Gill and her husband John of Kansas City, MO. His eldest son, "Buddy" Carroll James Bartlett died in 1984. Other survivors include grandchildren, Andrew Carroll Gill; Emily Karr and husband Grant; Amy Couch and husband Joe and daughter Audrey; Kristen Hower and daughter, Mayia. Bruce is also survived by his adopted in love daughters Rene Boland and Tina Montgomery, Rene's husband, David Boland, and grandsons Brent and Austin Boland and Robert Boland. Sayuri Domoto Clement, came into their home as a Rotary Foreign Exchange Student, living with them for several years. Bruce and Jane were surrogate parents with Bruce standing up with Sayuri at her wedding.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jim and Marvin and sister Barbara.
Bruce and Jane raised their children in Richmond, MO where Bruce was a lineman, foreman and serviceman for Missouri Public Service. He was later a manger for Missouri Public Service in Trenton, MO and area supervisor for Missouri Public Service in Marshall, MO where he retired in 1995. Upon retirement Bruce attended the University of Missouri Law Enforcement Academy, graduating in the fall of 1995. He served as Saline County Deputy and Marshall, MO police officer for 5 years.
Bruce was an avid Civil War enthusiast, known in civil war circles as The Galvanized Confederate. He used his metal detector to find Civil War artifacts as well to help solve crimes. Over the past 30 years he has spoken to many civic and children's groups about his hobby. He wrote several articles on metal detecting and the Civil War that were published in national Civil War and Treasure magazines. Bruce was also an accomplished wood carver who gave generously of his art to nonprofit groups for fundraising efforts. Bruce was a Korean War veteran reaching the rank of Technical Sergeant, Senior Parachutist with the Pathfinders in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was a member of the Richmond American Legion Post 327, serving as bugler on the honor guard team. Bruce's hobbies included trout and bass fishing, bow hunting and photography. He and his wife traveled following his retirement and returned to Richmond to make their home. Bruce was member of the United Christian Presbyterian Church in Richmond; a loyal friend, loving husband, father, grandfather, and loyal friend who opened his heart and his home to many. He was a man with a great sense of humor who enjoyed confusing his listeners with a turn of a phrase.
Visitation will be on Sunday, September 25, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, MO. A celebration of Bruce's life will be Monday, September 26th at 10:00 AM at the United Christian Presbyterian Church in Richmond, MO, Pastor John Johnson officiating with Inurnment at Sunny Slope Cemetery at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the United Christian Presbyterian Church in Richmond or Legion Post 237.