I received the following email from John Lorimer last night:
“Chuck, Just learned from Bob Hartwig that Jim Bruce died on Sunday. Here is the only obit I could find.”
(I also received news about Jim’s passing from JoAnn Salin, and Jerry Paulson)
ChuckR
Madison West High School Class of 1958 
I met Jim in kindergarten at Dudgeon School….we remained friends our entire life. A week before Jim died, my wife Bernie and I visited him. I told Jim the following as he knew his days were limited. I said to Jim: “One day soon you will fall asleep and not wake up….but, you will pass through a gate and find yourself in a boat, releasing a 60″ tiger muskie. Ducks and geese will be flying all around you. When you get to shore, a 16 point buck will be standing there and behind that deer will be all the friends and loved ones that have passed away before you. They will hug you, shake your hand, and one will approach you and say; Jim, you are just in time as it’s cocktail hour.” Jim smiled and said “perfect, thank you” ….
So very sad to hear about Jim I first met Jim in Dudgeon always had a smile on his face and never said anything bad about anyone. I respected Jim for the fun and honest guy he was and will hope to see him 😇 again someday.
I lost a good friend when Jim passed away. I met Jim when I moved into his neighborhood in 9th grade, and have enjoyed some memorable times together. He was my son’s Godfather, and in their final conversation shortly before he died, remembering his pledge to guide him in his spiritual life, said,”Go to church”. We would always meet in Strum, for the opening of camping season on Memorial Day, and had many memorable trips up north. He was one of the most amiable guys I have ever met, and enjoyed many of life’s pleasures. His favorite phrase when parting company was, “Happy Trails.”
Happy Trails Jim, and thanks for the.memories!
I met jim Bruce
In grade school and many days we would walk home -as I had to
Pass his house
If I remember correctly his mother had a gift shop and would stop
There too
What a nice guy
Rest In Peace