Bruce Coogler
October 7, 1956 ~ February 13, 2023
Lloyd "Bruce" Coogler, of Elkhart, Texas, formerly of Spring, Texas, passed away suddenly at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, on Monday, the 13th day of February 2023, with his loving wife and family by his side. He was 66 years of age when the Lord called him home. Bruce was born the middle child to parents James David Coogler, Jr. and Delia Parker Coogler, in Houston, Texas, on the 7th day of October 1956.
Bruce could best be described as an exceptional son, husband, dad, and grandpa, hard worker, and most importantly a Godly man. He had a deep faith and respect for the Lord and lived his life accordingly. He existed to a higher standard of living both morally and ethically, the way scripture teaches. Bruce was a patient man, and he always enjoyed helping someone in need. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Elkhart, Texas and sincerely loved his church family. Bruce, along with his wife Jana, found remarkable pleasure in hosting many church fellowships at their home.
Bruce worked for CenterPoint Energy for over 45 years and retired as a Vice President. When not working, he enjoyed working outdoors, fishing, and hunting. Bruce was a generous man financially, knowing everything was a gift from God, and he liberally gave of his time. He loved his family dearly and greatly treasured the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren. Bruce will be remembered for the love he had for his family and many friends, and his legacy will live on forever.
He is preceded in death by his brother, James Parker Coogler.
Left to cherish Bruce's memory are his devoted wife of 44 years, Jana Coogler; parents, J.D. and Dee Coogler; daughter, Amanda Lee Coogler of Austin, Texas; son, Blake Andrew Coogler and wife Candise of Mansfield, Texas; brother, Keith Coogler and wife Virginia of Conroe, Texas; and his beloved grandchildren, Davis Coogler, Whitten Coogler, and Harrison Coogler.
Funeral services to honor Bruce Coogler's life are to be conducted at four o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 18th day of February 2023 at First Baptist Church in Elkhart with Bro. Jason Hoffman officiating the service.
Friends are invited to visitwith the family from three o'clock in the afternoon until time of the service Saturday at the church.
The family will gather for a private graveside service at Forest Hill Cemetery in Livingston, Texas.
Those honored to serve as honorary pallbearers are Tim Charles Flowers, Keith Coogler, Charles Cochran, Davis Coogler, Blake Coogler, and Roland Hartzog.
Funeral services for Lloyd "Bruce" Coogler are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.
We invite you to take a moment to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with his family by selecting the "Share a Memory" icon.
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Jana, Amanda, Blake and Candise,
Please know you are all in my prayers.
It was my pleasure and honor to call Bruce my boss and friend.
If I had to sum up Bruce in a few words I would say, first and foremost he was a child of God. Secondly, he was a man of honor.
I was blessed to have Bruce as my boss.
I worked for companies that were gas suppliers to CenterPoint Energy when Bruce was leading the supply group. I always enjoyed working with Bruce and saw firsthand he was a man of faith and of the highest integrity. Even when dealing with contentious issues he remained calm and strived to find an equitable resolution for all. He will be missed.
Bruce was my boss for 20 plus blessed years at CenterPoint Energy. He was more than a boss he was my friend. I remember him giving my daughter this huge playground set that his children had outgrown. He dissembled it and took it to my home and assembled it all back together. I remember he would say Carla do you want a ride to your car after work and we would get on the HOV. I remember he said Carla come out to visit. It’s the small things that mean so much. It breaks my heart Bruce always looked out for me asking me how my daughter or mother was doing. I would ask him about Jana and his grandkids, which always brought a smile to his face. He truly understood the love of a family. A truly great boss is hard to find, difficult to part with and impossible to forget. Bruce was a blessing to me.
We met Bruce and Jana,Blake, and Amanda at 483rd WWII Air Force reunions. We enjoyed breakfasts with JD and Dee. We so enjoyed reading the 483 rd newsletter that he so faithfully shared with the group. Bruce was a faithful curator of 483rd stories and shared J. D.’s WWII history with me. He was very thoughtful and kind. I enjoyed sharing a few fishing stories with him. I know he will be remembered by all he came in contact with. The Lord was a focus for his life. We will miss him at future 483 rd reunions. Peace of the Lord. Rick and Charlene Coulson
Q: How did you meet Bruce?
A: Mr. Coogler was my boss for several years at CenterPoint Energy. He was gentle, easy going and a very good man to work for.
My condolences to his family.
Bruce was a wonderful brother in law .I am glad he was part of my sister’s life. He loved his children with all his heart.
Thank you, sweet Ronda. We are so appreciative of the wonderful sentiments that our children and grandchildren can hold onto. We will have these sentiments bound in a book as a keepsake for our grandchildren and more.
I knew Bruce for over 40 years and always admired his kindness and calmness. My dad, Howard Bell, was always impressed with Bruce and his dedication to Entex and Centerpoint. My thoughts and prayers are with all his family. – Larry Bell
I knew Bruce for over 40 years and always admired his kindness and calmness. My dad, Howard Bell, was always impressed with Bruce and his dedication to Entex and Centerpoint. My thoughts and prayers are with all his family. – Larry Bell
It is hard to put into words how much respect I have for Bruce. He was kind, gentle, thoughtful and generous. Whenever I needed help Bruce was right there to help. I asked him one time that if he had time, could help me take some bushes down at the front of my house. I could hear him heading over in his 4×4. Well I thought we would be done within no time because he had a chain saw. The job ended up taking a couple of hours. Not only did he help me get them cut down and pull them out by the roots but then he helped me transport the mess to my burn pile. I kept apologizing for taking up his time. He finally told me that he enjoyed helping. I was sooo thankful for his help.
Bruce helped me a few more times. We both enjoyed talking about our kids and grandchildren and what they were up to. Jana, Blake and Amanda, you all know this but Bruce loved all of you so much.
Thank you Bruce you are truly missed Sir!
Jana, Blake and Amanda… Bruce was a true blessing.
Jana, we’ve only known you and Bruce a short while as members of FBC Elkhart. How we both wish we could have known him longer. His gentle smile, calm, kind nature was so evident. He and Jana made a perfect pair. Even in this short season, we have been blessed, inspired and challenged. He was indeed a godly example.
Jana. We both wish we had known Bruce longer. His quiet,, gentle smile revealed such a tender heart. You were the perfect couple together. Gracious, hospitable, generous and kind. He was an inspiration to everyone. God bless and hold your family close. FBC Elkhart loves you!
What a Great man and even better friend !!
He will be missed.
Jana, Amanda, and Blake,
I will always hold fond memories of Bruce. He was an integral part of my Entex (and all the other name changes on the way to Centerpoint) family. I’ve worked several places and have never experienced such a great work environment…I was lucky, I got to work with my friends. My time working with Bruce was a great learning experience. While Bruce had many admiral attributes, the one that makes me smile was Bruce’s ability to always keep his cool. He wouldn’t get mad; he would prove his point with facts. He earned the nickname of “The Teflon Man†because he was so good at letting things roll right off. We worked a lot, but we also laughed a lot. It was a pleasure and honor knowing and getting to work with him. With a heavy heart,
I met Bruce in the early 1990’s over 30 plus years. He always had the same calm demeanor, what a great person to know for such a long time. When I finally joined Entex/Centerpoint in 1997 he was one of the first to make me feel welcome in the organization. He and Jana took the time to inviting Valerie and I out to dinner when we were still new to living in Houston. My pray is for Jana and the family to find comfort in god’s plan for you.
Whenever I think of Bruce, I cannot help but smile. I smile when I think about how quickly he’d drive across the road and be right at our door in a flash as soon as he learned that we needed help with something; I smile when I think about walking down to our mailbox and seeing Bruce across the road on his lawnmower or tractor waving his usual warm “Hello”; and I smile when I think about how he had a genuinely open and kind heart that anyone could see in his twinkling eyes and smile. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to know him. He will be missed on this side of heaven.
Jana and family,
Bruce was a wonderful man, a kind and trusted CenterPoint coworker and a friend. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you and your family.
We were blessed to get to know Bruce over the last year or so through FBC Elkhart. He had a servant’s heart and a kind and gentle spirit. He will be remembered for his love of the Lord and his family. We will miss seeing his smile and visiting with him. Love and comfort to Jana and their family.
Dear Jana and family, It has been our tremendous joy and privilege to serve our Lord Jesus along side Bruce and Jana!
Bruce had such a servant’s heart as he let the light of Christ shine through his eyes and life!! He will be greatly missed! We will see him later!
Dearest Jana, We are so blessed to know Bruce and you these past few years and you both quickly became our Brother and Sister in Christ. Bruce truly lived an example of quietly and faithfully loving God, you and his family and friends and sharing his many talents and gifts with others. We will miss him very much. Our prayers continue for your peace and comfort and strength as long as needed and though no one can fill Bruce’s shoes, know that we are here as you need us. Gideon Bibles are being sent in memory of Bruce. â¤ï¸ðŸ™ðŸ™
I worked with Bruce for 34 years and in that time I never met a man who more embodied the things I value most; integrity, honesty, kindness, trust, family, and God. He was always there to help with solve our problems.
My memory of Bruce, kind, quiet would smile and acknowledge you as a person. Condolences to family and friends.
Jana,
I don’t know if you remember me but I met you when you and Bruce came to Lexington, KY for a Boardwalk customer event. I just wanted you to know how very sad I was to learn of Bruce’s passing. Bruce was truly a wonderful person — such a kind, caring, generous and honest man. He was such a wonderful role model for those that worked with him and for those that he mentored. I never left a meeting with Bruce without saying “Bruce is such a nice personâ€. We all could use a few Bruce’s in our lives. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sad to learn this. My deepest condolences to the Coogler family. I had the please of working with Bruce at CenterPoint Energy and have such great memories. He was kind, knowledgeable and always shared his deep expertise whenever I called on him for context and details for stories. I will always remember his kind spirit. May he rest in peace.
To Jana and family
I just read this in the letter. I am so sorry. Freida and Forrest DeBolt were my parents and I came to a few reunions until they both passed. Always think I will make ot back.
I remember you, Jana, and Bruce well. Both of you such kind people. Prayers for healing your hearts. Debi Smith