Steven Leon Bruce

Steven Leon Bruce

APRIL 8, 1971 – AUGUST 28, 2021

Steven Leon Bruce, devoted and beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, died on Saturday, August 28th, 2021, at the age of 50. Steven was witty, intelligent, hardworking, kind-hearted, and grounded.

Born April 8, 1971, to Ben L. Bruce and Mary Elizabeth (Bruce) Montgomery, Steve was a life-long resident of Houston, Texas. He grew up between the then suburbs of Memorial and Splendora, and later Alief, where he would attend high school and develop a cherished circle of life-long friends. He would later pursue and earn a Bachelor's degree in business and a Human Resources Management certificate while working at Plains All American Pipeline for 18 years in Human Resources.

Steven would meet his wife, Candace Lea Harding, an elementary teacher, while sitting near her table at a sports bar with friends. Possessing a natural confidence and ability to meet people, he asked Candy out on the spot. They were married on July 22, 2000. Over the last twenty-one years together, Steve and Candy created the biggest joys in Steve's life, his three beautiful boys, Matthew, Bennett, and Andrew, whom he taught to "pray, throw a spiral, bat left and right, help out Mom, throw a punch, and always be there for each other." To his sons, nieces, and nephews, he was a loving example of character, perseverance, and faith while also having the ability to make them constantly laugh with his obviously made-up stories and his teasing nature. Steven was no stranger to struggle and determination. Although diagnosed as an infant with Cystic Fibrosis, the life he accomplished was no small miracle in medical terms.

Steven had a life-long love affair with sports. He played them, he watched them, he coached them. He unabashedly bragged about his eight super bowls as coach of the George Ranch Longhorn Gridiron team and his six years of dominating his fantasy football league championships to the chagrin of his buddies in the league.

At the heart of all his loves was an abiding faith in Christ, family, and relationships. Steve was intentional with everyone. He was well-loved by all who knew him, and he leaves a legacy full of love and laughter.

He is preceded in death by his father, Ben Leon Bruce. He is survived by his wife, Candace Bruce; his sons, Matthew Bruce, Bennett Bruce, and Andrew Bruce; his mother and step-father, Mary Elizabeth and Gerald Montgomery; his sister, Denise Cassata; his brother and sister-in-law, Eric and Veronica Bruce; his sister, Anne Bailey; his sister, Heather Bruce; his brother, Robert Robique; his sister, Phillis Wheeler; his sister, Chasitie Helms; his brother; Eric Richardson; his nephews, Nicolas Cassata, Austen Bailey, and Ryan Hall; his nieces, Gabriella Bruce and Sky Bruce; as well as many cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 3rd, 2021, at The Settegast-Kopf Company at Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 4th, 2021, at River Pointe Church, 21000 Southwest Freeway, Richmond, Texas. Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.