Service to be held for J.D. Bruner

RD Bruner passed away in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the age of 85 years.

RD is the son of Nathan and Mattie (Moore) Bruner, born on March 28, 1940, in Wewoka, Oklahoma, where he was raised and graduated from Douglas High School in 1960. He joined the U.S. Army and served six years, spending time in California and Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, where he attained the rank of Specialist E4 machine gunner. He married Maxine Osborne in 1963. They resided in Oklahoma City, then moved to Sasakwa, where they were blessed with five children: Jacquelyn, Jo, Billie, Richard, and Ardell.

RD known to many as “Redd” retired in the year 2001 from Holdenville High School after 17 years of conducting service as a Security Guard, Custodian, and electrician. His history of employment includes 7 ½ years as a Class B Water Plant Operator for the City of Oklahoma City, Draper Water Plant from Operator for the City of Oklahoma City from 1963 to 1971. He then became employed with Boise Cascade at Kingsberry Homes in Holdenville from 1972 to 1980 as a Rafter Man until the closing of the company. RD is well known for his excellent music talent of playing the harmonica. Movies he enjoyed watching were westerns. RD served as a Deacon at Middle Creek Missionary Baptist Church of Sasakwa for many years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Nathan Bruner and Mattie Starnes; eight siblings: James Burner, Willie Bruner, Ola Mae Blakely, Melvin Burner, Ivory Starnes, Gentry Starnes Jr, Lottie Lee Starnes, and Ollie Starnes Payne.

He is survived by five children Jacqueline Bruner (Charles) of Ada, Jo Quita Holloway (Kelly) of Douglasville, Ga, Billie Thomas of Oklahoma City, Richard Bruner (Tammy) of Vamoosa, and Jeremy Ardell Bruner of Sasakwa; ten grandchildren: LaTarsha Grant, Delayah Grant, Daylan Holloway, Dillion Holloway(Angela), Tori Holloway, Elbert ‘E.J’ Thomas Jr. (Diana), Zachery Thomas (Terra), Ariel Owens(Glenn), TaRell Bruner, Jeremiah Bruner, and Antwane Bruner; Fourteen greatgrandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; seven siblings: Opal Bruner of Sasakwa, Henry Starnes (Sharlene) of Moore, Johnny Starnes(Sharon) of Seminole, Keith Starnes (Beth) of Shawnee, Imogene Bruner of Oklahoma City, Mattie Ruth Starnes (Booker) of Shawnee, and Theresa Starnes of Wewoka; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Fisher Funeral Home.

RD will be laid to rest with military honors at Holdenville Cemetery.

Elder Wesley Thomas is the officiating minister.

The pallbearers are Zachery Thomas, Glenn Owens, Curtis Roberts, Delbert Thomas, Karl White, Steven Thomas, and Wellington Dindy.

Flower Bearers: Nieces Viewing at the funeral home will be Friday, July 11, 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm.