Ret. Col. Bruce G. Gilbreth

Ret. Col. Bruce G. Gilbreth, 90, Rocky Comfort, Mo., died March 19, 2012, at the Missouri Veterans' Home in Mt. Vernon following a lengthy illness. He was born Oct. 23, 1921, in Walters, Okla., the son of Grady and Mary (Williams) Gilbreth. Col. Gilbreth entered the Army Air Corps in 1942, earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1944. He flew B-24 bombers as a command pilot in the Pacific theater during WWII. Later he transitioned to the newly formed U.S. Air Force, where he flew B-47 jet bombers in the Strategic Air Command as a triple-rated command pilot (pilot, navigator and bombardier) with a six-engine jet instructor rating. From there, Col. Gilbreth's career advanced into communications and electronics, which led to high level assignments including director of communications at HQ 315th Air Division (Japan/Vietnam); deputy chief of staff for systems and logistics, HQ United States Air Force (the Pentagon); deputy director of communications electronics, HQ Strategic Air Command; director of logistics plans at HQ Air Force Communications Service; commander of 2146 Communications Group (Osan, Korea), and finally as vice commander of HQ Southern Communications Area. His decorations included the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters; and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Col. Gilbreth retired from the Air Force in 1974 after 32 years of service. Bruce married Betty Jo McCool of Pea Ridge, Ark., in 1942. They had four children. She preceded him in death in 1970. He then married Ann Speck Adams in 1973 at Mesa, Ariz., and she survives. Additional survivors include his children, Bruce G. Gilbreth II and wife, Jeanette, London, England, Brenda J. Gilbreth, Grand Junction, Colo., Brad L. Gilbreth and wife, Joan, Lincoln, Neb., Britt R. Gilbreth, Breckenridge, Colo., Brian "Rod" Adams and wife, Kay, Tempe, Ariz.; daughter-in-law, Elayne Adams, Rogers, Ark.; eight grandchildren; and longtime friend, Jerry Payne. He is also preceded in death by his parents; his two sisters; and a son, Steven Adams. Perhaps of greatest importance to Bruce was his relationship with his God. He was an active member of the Church of Christ as a leader and teacher all of his adult life. Services will be Monday, March 26, 2012, at 10 a.m. at Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories in Neosho; Tommy Burr will officiate. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. at the Fayetteville National Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 25. Contributions in memory of Bruce may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home to be used specifically for veterans in need of additional services, c/o Clark Funeral Home, P.O. Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850. Online condolences may be posted at www.clarkfuneralhomes.com.