Bruce H. Mailey was born November 27, 1952, in Dallas, Texas. He departed this life March 18, 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the loving presence of his family. He was the son to Dr. James H. and Florence Mailey, and the younger brother of James F. Mailey. After graduation from Midland High School, he attended the University of Texas at Austin. Bruce was a proud Longhorn where he played football for four years. His degree in Petroleum Engineering led to employment with Mobil, Lee Keeling, Amerada Hess, Vintage Petroleum, and Apache. While in Midland, he met the love of his life, Debbie Connor. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this January. They are soul mates and were true partners in marriage. Together they celebrated their lives as parents of their daughter, Katie. Bruce loved everything about being a Dad. He was unmatched in his love and devotion to his daughter. He made her passions, his passions.
Bruce enjoyed biking, classic country music, playing card games, coaching softball, and attending the many activities of his seventeen nieces and nephews. Bruce was a kid magnet-neighborhood kids often found his front yard a playground for hide-and-seek, water balloon fights, snow igloos, and nature walks. After retirement, he loved working at his brother-in-law's carpentry shop with "the boys." The boys loved buffet lunches together, and Bruce always ate his desserts before his entree. Family and friends were everything to Bruce. His calendar was dedicated to family dinners, kids sporting events, recitals, and graduations. He believed in the power of prayer, dedicating many rosaries to the people he loved, and those important to his loved ones. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church for 37 years, serving as an usher for much of that time.
Bruce was preceded in death by parents James H. and Florence Mailey, his niece Genevieve Mailey. He is survived by his wife, Debbie, his daughter Katie, and brother James F. (Sharon) Mailey. He leaves behind adoring in-laws, countless nieces, nephews, and godchildren, and a host of terrific friends.
His favorite charities include Bishop Kelley High School Scholarship fund and OU College of Medicine Scholarship fund.
A prayer service and memorial will be held on Thursday, March 24th at 7 pm at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel. Funeral services will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church Friday, March 25th at 10 am.