R.J. Bruner

R. J. Bruner, 78, of Ashford passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at a local hospital.

Funeral services will be 2 pm Friday, January 10, 2014 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Smith and Mark Fairris officiating. Burial will follow in the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery with Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends from 1-2 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Flowers are being accepted or memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX, 75284.

Mr. Bruner was born January 4, 1936 in Houston County and lived the early part of his life here. He moved to Auburndale, FL and was a 1954 graduate of Auburndale High School. He joined pipe fitters union #798 in Tulsa, OK and worked as a pipe fitter until his retirement in 1993. He also was active with his farm in Ashford where he row cropped, raised cattle and horses until his recent illness. Mr. Bruner loved vacationing and spending time with his family. During the last few years he also enjoyed spending time with his Ashford Co-op buddies. Mr. Bruner was the grandson of a Confederate Soldier. He was preceded in death by his brother Burnice Raley and his parents Reese and Jeanette Bruner.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years Mary Bruner; his son Jason Bruner; his daughter Vicky Mark Fairris; his granddaughters, Brandy Stewart, Heather Shane Alberson, Hannah John David Lewis, and Alysha Sund; his grandsons, Jason Bruner and Justin Joshua Bruner; his great-grandsons, Tucker Alberson, Landon Thompson, and Grayson Lewis; his great-granddaughter, Gracie Alberson; several nieces, nephews and cousins ; special friends who left a impression on his heart, Gene Womack, Ronald Parker, Bill Hattaway, Leonard Teague, Brother John Smith, and his special buddies of the Ashford Co-op.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Jason Campbell, Lavon Rice, Ronald Parker, Jerome Hinson, and Gene Womack.