OBITUARY: Robert Bruce Dines, 91, of Kingsland dies April 11, 2013
Robert Bruce Dines was born June 22, 1921, in Lockney, Texas, to James William and Ollie Dines. He passed away April 11, 2013, at his home in Kingsland after a short illness.
Bruce married Wyndelle McPherson in 1946. They had two daughters: Sandra Kay and Debra Dee.
He married Mary Jean Johnson in 1955. They had a son, Robert Bruce Jr. “Bobby” and Teresa Jean.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother J.W. Dines and sister-in-law Margaret; children Bobby in 1979 and Teresa in 2000; and eldest grandson, Eric Harvey in 2010.
He is survived by his wife Mary Jean of Kingsland; daughters Sandra Kay Harvey of Lewisville and Debra Dee Dale of Fort Worth; grandchildren Kristian Ryan Harvey of Dallas, Ashley Harvey Watt of Flower Mound, Dr. Monica Ann Dale Pascual of Washington, D.C., Shane Dale of Fort Worth, Andrea Dines Potter of Llano, Justin Rob Burch of Dale and Suzanne Burch Whitewood of Lipan; and 13 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his niece Jackie Sue Graham of Lubbock and nephew Jimmy Dines of Duncan, Okla.
Bruce served in the Third Marine Division during World War II in the 1940s. He saw action on Bougainville, Guam, and Guadalcanal and was present on Iwo Jima during the famous flag raising.
Bruce and Jean began their life together on April 12, 1955. After an extended honeymoon ”on the road,” they settled in Amarillo, Texas, where they owned the Dines Hardware and Hobby Shop. After their two children were born, they moved to Plainview, Texas, to run the family farm in nearby Kress.
In 1964, Bruce moved his family to Kingsland and opened the Western Auto Store. At that time, he also became involved in the Kingsland Volunteer Fire Department and served for 20 years. He and Jean worked side by side together at Western Auto until they sold it and opened a second business in 1971, the Packsaddle Western Store. They continued to work side by side at Packsaddle until they retired in 1982.
During their retirement years, Bruce and Jean traveled together in their RV across the United States and Canada. As active members of the Westex Chapter of the Family Motor coach Association, they made many good friends from all over the U.S. They traveled for 35 years. Most recently, for the last 12 years, they joined with fellow travelers every summer in Mayhill, N.M.
Bruce and Jean were faithful to gathering their family for holiday celebrations that built precious memories for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Had Bruce lived five additional hours, he and Jean would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kingsland Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 7 Kingsland, TX 78639.
Visitation was April 14. A funeral service is 1:30 p.m. April 15 at Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home, 900 Industrial Blvd. in Kingsland, (325) 247-4300, with the Revs. Jack Whyburn and Don Harms officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park.
Serving as pallbearers will be Shane Dale, Kristian Harvey, Justin Burch, Justin Whitewood, Joe Potter and James Lebow.
Condolences may be sent to whhfuneral1@verizon.net or made at www.whhfuneralhome.com.