Larry Dean Bruce

Larry Dean Bruce, 63, El Dorado Springs, departed this life peacefully at his home on Monday, April 28, 2025, following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born March 23, 1962, to Lloyd Bruce and Roberta (Esry) Bruce in El Dorado Springs. He was one of six siblings often referred to as the “Bruce bunch”. Larry was saved at a young age at the Union Hall Baptist Church just south of town.

During the fall of 1986, he met the love of his life, Karen Manes Selby, and to this bond Kody and Klint were born. They agreed to say “I Do” on May 28, 1993, and to this union Larry gained four bonus children who he loved like his own. They were set to celebrate their 32nd anniversary this year.

To know Larry was to like and adore him. He was always the life of the party and put forth his best effort to make sure everyone around him was having as much fun as he was. He was an avid outdoorsman who was very passionate about hunting, fishing and just being outside. He was always willing to walk the woods for a deer drive, set some lines in the river or grab his coon dogs, Kali, and Tigger, and set out for a night of hunting. Those dogs were his pride and joy and together they made quite the trio. If you were ever fortunate enough to join him on a hunt, you can probably agree that he could cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, and you just did your best to try to keep up.

Larry wasn’t always the easiest to get ahold of, or track down, but Karen knew she could usually find him at Mogan’s, Edwizer’s, Flannigan’s or Parkside. Among these places is where he earned his nicknames, “Too Loose Bruce” and “Bigfoot.”

Survivors include his loving wife, Karen Bruce, of the home; six children: Kory Selby, Kyle Selby, Kolin Selby, KemmaLee Selby, Kody Bruce and Klint Bruce; five siblings: Kathy Bush (Mike), Gary Bruce (Kelly), Donna Phelps (Bill), John Bruce (Suzie) and Jim Bruce (Ginger); thirteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Preceding him in death were his father, Lloyd Bruce; his mother, Roberta Walker; and numerous lifelong friends.

Larry was a husband, brother, father and friend, but his most cherished title was Papa Bruce. He will be missed by many.

Services for Larry were held Thursday, May 1, 2025. He was laid to rest in Clintonville Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.