Jerry Douglas Bruner

Jerry "Uncle Bug" Bruner was born June 8, 1956 in Shreveport (Caddo Parish), Louisiana at the Willis Knighton Hospital and entered the presence of his heavenly Father on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, joining his loving parents Charles C. Bruner and Ideallie Morgan Bruner.

Jerry attended a special school while living in Bossier City, La. In August of 1963, Jerry moved with his family (age 7) to Hitchcock, Texas where he attended the Hitchcock School, then in 1966, moved to Texas City and attended the Hi Hope Training Center from 1966-1984. While at the center, Jerry could be seen working on various jobs, mowing and cleaning lawns, doing ceramics, and cutting wooden stakes for a business by using an electrical saw. While in Texas City, Jerry also participated in the Special Olympics, by competing in bowling, track and field, baseball, and swimming with the Hi Hope Training Center Team. In 1986, he moved to Gladewater and went to work at the Sabine Valley Workshop and did various jobs while he was employed there and again competed in the Special Olympics with the Sabine Valley Athletes. Jerry retired from the center in 1998 due to failing health issues. He was also a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Gladewater.

In his life, Jerry loved helping his dad and family with chores. At home, he loved working outdoors and with crafting projects such as knitting hats and scarfs. He loved to walk around the area to pick up cans and enjoyed watching TV in his spare time. His favorite shows were wrestling, The Price is Right, Jeopardy, car auction shows, movies, and football. If he wasn’t watching TV, he would be known to work a puzzle as well. He has always had a pleasing personality; his friendly fun, easy going, and willingness to work always made him a joy to be around and a wonderful uncle to his nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, the late Charles Colvin Bruner and Ideallie Lorena Bruner. His survivors include his brothers, Billy Frances Bruner of Gladewater; Charles Edward Bruner and wife Julie of Big Sandy; sister, Judy Carolyn Hunter and husband John of Mabank; nephews, Jacob and Paul Bruner of Big Sandy; Brandon Hunter and wife Mackenzie and their son Oram of Longview; and one niece, Tiffany Hunter of Mabank.

Jerry’s funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Gladewater with Bro. Bailey Harris officiating with interment to follow at the Gladewater Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service, starting at 10:00 AM, at the church.