Warren Dale "Latta" Bruce

Warren Dale Bruce "Latta", 77 of Ft. Smith, died Tuesday, July 6, 2010 in his place of residence. He was born January 17, 1933 in Elk City, Kan. He was a teller of stories and never met a stranger. He was a master carpenter, loving husband and father. He was a member of the Goddard First United Methodist Church in Ft. Smith, a mason of the Masonic Temple of Ft. Smith. As a young man he was drafted as a catcher by the St. Louis Cardinals and continued his love of baseball throughout his life. He and his wife, Doris Ann were avid Razorback supporters and attended many games for many years. He had a talent for landscaping and many friends and family enjoyed his creations in his yard. He is survived by his three daughters, Teresa Hudgens & husband Larry of Mayflower, Ark.; Kimele Latta and partner Kelley Bogan of Little Rock; Kari Richardson & husband Shane of Beebe, Ark.; two sisters, Violet Browning, Alberta Kroker and one brother, Tom Bruce; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and a cat named "Prancer". Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, July 10, 2010 at Ocker Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Gracelawn Cemetery in Van Buren, under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be Masons. The family would like to thank Peachtree Hospice of Ft. Smith, Ark.; Arkansas Hospice Foundation and Fox Ridge Assisted Living in Bryant, Ark. for all of the loving care and support they provided. Memorial contributions may be made to the Out of the Woods Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 7365, Little Rock, Ark. 72217 or the Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, Ark. 72116.