Thomas "Tom" Bruce, 83, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at Avera Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls, SD after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at Cathedral of St. Joseph, 504 N. Summit Ave. , Sioux Falls, SD with burial at Pleasant View Cemetery in Harrisburg, SD. Memorial visitation with the family present will be from 5:00-7:00 pm Monday, June 27, at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Ave. , Sioux Falls, SD. Thomas Raymond Bruce, son of James and Florence (Sondgeroth) Bruce, was born April 21, 1939 in Bonesteel, SD. His parents owned and operated the grocery store/gas stationcalled "Hungry Jim's". Tom had many experiences growing up in Bonesteel with his family and the interesting characters he knew during that time. Tom graduated from Bonesteel High School in 1957. He attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD, he then graduated with a teaching degree in English from Southern State Teacher's College in Springfield, SD in 1961. Tom was united in marriage with Kathleen Peacock on July 21, 1962, in Lake Andes, SD. They began their life together in Flandreau, SD where they were blessed with their first born, Terri (1963). They moved to Bonesteel, SD for one year where they welcomed their second child, Carolyn (1965). Tom and Kathy moved to Sioux Falls, SD in August of 1965, where they were later blessed with a third child, Debbie (1967). Early in his career, Tom taught high school English at Flandreau High School, O'Gorman High School, and Baltic High School. He rounded out his teaching career with a few years of substitute teaching, after which he found a passion for carpentry, which he did for over 30 years. Tom answered to many names: Mr. Bruce, the Wizard of Bark, the Door Doctor, Tommy Ray, Mot, and his most important names--Dad and Grandpa. He gave the best bear hugs. He often had a guitar or cat on his lap. He could talk your ear off with stories and could fall asleep pretty much anywhere. Tom was an incredibly talented artist, wood carver, storyteller, carpenter, teacher, rock hunter, reflexologist, and music enthusiast. Tom stayed busy by swimming daily, having coffee with friends, reading, and doing Sudoku puzzles. He attendedthe Sioux River Folk Festival every year, where he found a great community of friends. He belonged to the South Dakota Wood Carver's Organization, the Sioux Falls Irish Club, and the parish of St. Joseph's Cathedral. He also deemed himself president of the BOL (Belligerent Order of Left-handers). Tom and Kathy loved camping in the Black Hills with their children and grandchildren. They also enjoyed their travels to Ireland, Scotland, Washington state, New Mexico, and Arizona. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of nearly 60 years, Kathy; three children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild. The late Terri Bruce; Carolyn (Steve) Ribstein, Harrisburg, SD and their children, the late Andrew Vermillion, Jared (Ali) Ribstein, and Carly (Bodhi) Schultz; Debbie (Mike) Heselton, Faribault, MN and their children, Kayla (Ross) Moslander, their son Cedar, Sara (Joey Fritz) and Jacob Heselton; a close nephew, Anthony (Elizabeth) Bruce, Sioux Falls, SD and their daughters Ashlee and Mackenzie; sister-in-law Marge Bruce, Tacoma, WA; several nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, James and Florence Bruce; son, Terri Bruce; grandson, Andrew Vermillion; brother, Bill Bruce; and sister, Jane Bruce. Memorials may be directed to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.