Born February 4, 1950, in Amarillo, Texas, to Glen R. and Virginia Bruce Gum, Bruce David Gum went to join his Lord and Savior on October 9, 2020, at BSA in Amarillo, Texas.
Bruce grew up on the family farm southwest of Hardesty and graduated from Hardesty High School in 1968. He went on to graduate from Oklahoma Panhandle State University in 1972, all the while building his farming and ranching business.
Bruce married Sharon Diann Wetmore on July 19, 1975, in Guymon, and they went on to raise three beautiful daughters who remain to be their gorgeous living legacies. Tragically, they lost their beloved Sharon on June 21, 2004. Bruce married Sarena Hamilton on October 14, 2011, in Sunray, Texas. He was a member of Trinity Fellowship North Church of Amarillo, Texas, where he was a valued part of the Prayer Ministry Team.
While most people are enjoying their retirement years at his age, Bruce was a valued full-time employee of WCSA Incorporated in Amarillo, serving as their irreplaceable Marketing Director.
Bruce was an excellent judge of both cattle and of character. He was mentor to many: family, friends, and strangers. Bruce always showed up! He was there for every activity and event for his three daughters. As they were growing up, he was their Sunday school teacher and youth volunteer. He was at every stock show, every sporting event, every FFA contest, every time! Then, as his girls became adults, he showed up for his grandkids’ events. Sometimes he would drive up from Amarillo just to take his daughters all out for lunch or just to take all the grandkids to Sonic.
Bruce was always just a phone call away . . . literally! He ALWAYS showed up whether his girls thought they needed him or not. He called or texted each of them EVERY day with these words: “Hey Pal, how are ya today?” He called each one of them “my #1 daughter.” Bruce instilled in each of them an incredible work ethic: “Work first. Then play.” He gave the very BEST advice and was always right there with “that a boy, girl.”
Bruce was preceded in death by his wife Sharon Wetmore Gum, his parents Glen R. Gum and Virginia Bruce Gum Pio, his father and mother-in-law Halsey and Mary Belle Adams Wetmore, his step-father Julian J. Pio, his mother-in-law Peggy Hamilton, his brother Ted Gum, his brother-in-law Tim Wetmore, his grandparents Ernest and Bessie Ingels Gum and Tommie and Mary Lawson Bruce, step-brother Douglas Pio, and step-sister Julie Pio Donnelly.
Bruce is survived by his wife Sarena Hamilton Gum of Amarillo; his three daughters Heidi Nunley and husband Jay of Hooker; Maggi Stavig and husband Randy of Guymon; and Merri Dupree and husband Devon of Butler, Oklahoma; his daughters Manda Holcomb and husband Trey of Ft. Worth, Texas; and Meredith Garcia of Amarillo; his brother Jerry Gum and wife Tammy of Hardesty; his sister Carolyn Whiteside and husband Joe of Amarillo; his sister Shirley Smith of Guymon; and one step-sister Karyn Sue Pio Lively of Guymon.
Bruce is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Rhett, Kip, and Thane Nunley of Hooker; Addison and Tinley Stavig of Guymon; Annie, Emma, and Creek Dupree of Butler, Oklahoma; and Anna Miller and Robert Hudson of Amarillo.
He is also survived by several dear cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of dear friends and co-workers.
Memorial and celebration of life services will be conducted Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at 10:00 A.M. at Victory Memorial United Methodist Church in Guymon with Reverend Odie Nunley officiating.
Interment will follow at Elmhurst Cemetery in Guymon under the direction of Henson-Novak Funeral Home of Guymon.
The family requests that all memorial contributions go to UMYF at Victory Memorial United Methodist Church of Guymon.
Friends may sign the guest book or leave a condolence at www.hensonnovak.com.
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