06/20/2026
ROBERT BRUCE GRIFFIN
Oct 4, 1930 — Jun 12, 2026
95 years, 8 months and 8 days of a life well-lived. Robert "Bruce" Griffin was the epitome of a good man.
Bruce was born October 4th, 1930 the youngest (by far) of 5 children. His 2 sisters and 2 brothers were all double digits when Baby Bruce came along. Depending on who you asked, Bruce was either born in Robertson County or Mart, Texas. Regardless, Mart was always home and Bruce's universe would continue to revolve around Panther Land his entire life.
Bruce's kindness, compassion and humility was instilled from birth on. His mother raised not only her 5 children, but numerous others on "little to nothing", teaching thankfulness and grace. Bruce certainly learned from one of the best.
Bruce's character was steadfast throughout his life, playing sports and graduating from Mart High School. From there, he joined the Air Force, proudly serving for four years.
It was during this time, when Bruce was home on leave, that he attended a basketball game that would change his life forever. It was the inaugural year for girls' basketball at Mart High School and Margaret Eleanor Strange was a starting forward. After the game, a mutual friend introduced Bruce and Margaret. They have been inseparable since.
They married in Margaret's backyard in Mart, Texas in 1958. Neither of them could remember the exact date. As Margaret said, "When you treat each other like every day is your anniversary, you celebrate every day." Recent longevity advice to a young couple was simple: "Always be kind to each other." Margaret and Bruce set the bar to infinity.
In 1964, on August 30th, they welcomed their one and only child, Michael. He was the light of their world and Michael quickly realized that he had hit the jackpot in the parental lottery. Bruce and Margaret loved every part of being Mike's parents, especially watching him participate in sports and form friendships that still last until this day.
Tragically, Mike was killed in a car crash on July 31, 2018 at the age of 53. Their son's death was by far the greatest test of their faith and their love. They survived the grief the way they have always faced the world- TOGETHER.
After being together for 7 decades, Bruce and Margaret's names were rarely mentioned separately. They "loved with a love that was more than love", and it was apparent in life and now, death.
Bruce and Margaret, respectively, had long careers at Navasota Valley Electric and The First National Bank of Central Texas in Mart. Both developed life-long friendships through their jobs and their church.
Bruce relished in the abundancy of children that filled their beloved church, First Methodist Church of Mart. Pre-Covid, they would attend Sunday School and worship services. The smiles on Bruce and Margaret's faces in the presence of those children were priceless and are etched in our memories. Bruce saw the children as the future of not just the church, but the community and the world. He desperately and faithfully wanted to inspire and support the future hands and feet of Christ- our youth. For that reason, memorials made in Bruce's name will go to The Children and Youth Fund at First Methodist Church of Mart.
During Bruce's last hospitalization, he was offered the choice to be sent to rehabilitation for a week or two, or to return home on hospice care. Bruce feared his time was nigh; and all he wanted was to be with his "Baby", and that God's will be done. Bruce and Margaret were holding hands as he "slipped the surly bonds of Earth... and touched the Face of God" on June 12th, 2026.
While we rejoice that Bruce has entered the heavenly Kingdom and has been reunited with Mike, please keep Margaret in your prayers as she navigates a grief few can comprehend.
A committal at Mart Cemetery at 11am was followed by a celebration and remembrance service, held at First Methodist Church of Mart, as well as lunch.
