Happy Heavenly Birthday Bruce.

Miss you very much my friend and not a day goes by that I don’t think of our random conversations at the gym! 

Bruce Henley, Attorney at Law-

The last time I saw Bruce was completely unexpected.  Some of you may know I was a divorce lawyer in Dallas for many years. One young lady hired me in early 2000’s or late 1990’s to represent her in a fairly straightforward family law case that required us to go to court and have a contested hearing.  I prepped her as usual and she never mentioned she would be bringing anyone to court with her. 

To my surprise, when I met her at the courthouse and as she was coming off the elevator, off steps Bruce with her! He was there as her boyfriend or advisor or bodyguard, not sure which. (Last time I’d seen him, he told me he was working some as a bodyguard). But he proceeded to tell me his legal strategy for her case, what questions I should ask in court, what to say in closing arguments, etc.  I humored him, just as I would anyone else, but again enjoyed the passion and zeal he showed for her. 

Afterwards, as my client and Bruce were leaving after the (successful) hearing, I asked Bruce to call me when he had time so we could get together, but never heard from him again. 

I was shocked to learn of his passing. It has really saddened me and I will miss him. 

My sincere condolences to his children and grandchildren. 

Later years-

Bruce and I went separate ways in the 70’s after high school, going to different colleges, him going into ministry and me going into law. We both got married for first time. Bruce moved up north, I moved to Houston for awhile. 

But we would still connect from time to time at different stages of our lives. Bruce was always so passionate about whatever he did or whoever he was with.  It was always a joy to see him, whether I could relate to what he was doing or not. Example, when he moved back to Texas after being up north for many years, he come to see me and man, was he jacked! He was telling me all about his workout regimen, what I needed to be doing to look like him (which was never going to happen, lol), and all about the details of his love lives. 

Alien-

See prior story about Jaws.

Four years later, we went to see Alien when it came out.  Same fetal position. This time I’m pretty sure he DID cry, lol. 

Jaws-

In 1975, Bruce and I went to see Jaws. (I think this was at the Wilshire Theater, if anyone remembers it.) Even though Bruce was this 6’4” strapping monster of a guy, I got a kick out him being curled into the fetal position in the seat next to me, pulling his shirt up over his head, refusing to look at the screen. To his credit, I don’t believe he was crying, lol. 

Jesus Revolution- 

Bruce and I both became Christians while in latter part of High school. (In hindsight I’ll be the first to admit I was not much of an example, but Bruce certainly was, to my knowledge.)  I really admired his zeal and enthusiasm and have fond memories of us going to church, meetings, or hanging out w some of the guys.  He was a good man.

Burger King and VW bug-

Bruce and I were best friends in high school and used to hang out quite a lot. I remember Bruce had this VW Bug he drove (he got to drive a little before me since he was a bit older) and he would drop by my house and pick me up to go to the Rec to play basketball, go out to eat, hang out, etc. 

I remember Bruce would make a big deal out of ordering a burger. I think he did this for attention or maybe just to bug the hell out of me but we could go into Burger King on Buckner, stand in line behind 5-6 other people ordering, then, despite us having been there a billion times and the menu being right in front of our faces, when we got to the front of the line to order, I’d quickly order my No. 1 or whatnot, then stand aside so Bruce would order. But instead of ordering off the menu, Bruce made this elaborate process of custom creating a burger just the way he wanted vs just ordering from the menu. No matter if there were 10 people behind us, wouldn’t matter. He was exasperating but funny as hell. I never knew if he was trying to be goofy or just was really goofy. 

Bruce was one of my very best friends in Jr High and High School and we remained friends thru college and into adulthood.  Some of my memories of him are:

How We Met-

Bruce and I were in the same grade and went to Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary school, then we both tried out for football for the John B Hood Jr Hi “Rebels”. (Looking back at that, it’s so hard to believe that  the DISD and community allowed a school to be named after a Confederate General  then to top it off, our mascots were the “Rebels”. Different times, as they say.  But then again, civil rights weren’t enacted until 1965 and desegregation wasn’t ordered until 1954, so I guess it didn’t occur to anyone how blatantly racist it all was.) 

Anyway, Bruce and I didn’t know each other too well in elementary, but we both tried out for football at Hood and got to know each other during the grueling practices. (Remember Coach “Red” McCollum yelling at the team to “get up that hill, you mules!’) Even though we were friends, we were a couple of the bigger guys on the team and of course were made into Linemen and pitted opposite each other in blocking drills. I ended up having to block Bruce but thought he’d take it easy on me as he was rushing the passer since we were buddies.

No such luck, lol.   Bruce attacked me like his hair was on fire, knocking me backwards about 10 feet before finally knocking me down in front of the team and coaches.  As I was getting up off the ground, Bruce stood over me with the biggest s_ _t eating grin on his face!  But he gave me his hand and pulled me up. One of the first of many acts of kindness he showed me through the years.