Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late Eugene and Mary Gilmer Bruce. He was a member of Honea Path Church of God and a veteran of the US Navy. James was retired from B&L Construction. He was twice married, first to the late Loree Virginia Ashley Bruce.

Surviving in addition to his loving wife of the home are: two sons; Mike Bruce and Danny Ray Bruce, both of Honea Path,  two sisters; Joyce Vaughn and Nancy Williamson, both of Anderson, four granddaughters; Jamie (Chad) Gilmer, Carmen (Brian) Rackley, Brittney (Brent) Ellett, and Brianna (Don) Tran, eight great-grandchildren; Tristian Higdon, Gauge Higdon, Alexi Rackley, Micah Ellett, Noah Ellett, Ezra Ellett, Ronin Tran, and Leilani Tran, three step – children; Toby (Kim) McClain, Laura (Eric) Kelly, and Kayla (John) Hanks, five step-grandchildren; Hunter Guthrie, Hannah Guthrie, Mallie Hanks, Drake Hanks, and Lila Hanks, and special Navy friends; John and Anna Powell of Nicholasville, KY.

He was preceded in death by one brother: Ernest Bruce; and one sister: Sandra Cogdill.

Funeral services will be held at 3 P.M. Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Charlie Driggers, Rev. Ronnie Grant, and Rev. Eric Shuler officiating. Private burial will be held at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery.

The family is at the home and will receive friends from 1-3 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Patriot Hospice, 54 Bear Drive, Greenville, SC 29605. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com