Bruce Mooney

Ivan Bruce Mooney, of Wainwright, Oklahoma, was welcomed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on November 3, 2025, at the age of 96. Heaven gained one of the world’s best cowboys. A man of deep conviction and enduring love, Bruce lived his life devoted to his family, his friends, his faith, and his beloved ranch. A visitation will be held at the Cornerstone Funeral Home in Muskogee, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the family receiving visitors from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025, at the First Baptist Church Wainwright, in Wainwright, Oklahoma, with the Reverend Jesse Bible officiating. Graveside services and internment will take place on Thursday, November 13th at 2:00 p.m. at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Greenville, Texas. Bruce was born in Dallas, Texas at the Baylor Hospital on January 22, 1929, to Thomas Michael Mooney and Naoma Ester Mooney. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1950. After graduation, Bruce met Dorothy Vernell Jenkins. Bruce had planned to go to law school after graduation, but his father requested his assistance running the family-owned bus line in Dallas. Bruce was involved in every aspect of running the business, from obtaining the proper licenses and permits from the State of Texas to driving bus routes and mechanical repairs. Every morning, on his daily downtown bus route in Dallas, a beautiful young woman, Dorothy, would step aboard on her way to her job as an office girl in the city. Bruce was instantly captivated by her smile and the easy grace with which she carried herself. Day after day, their brief exchanges grew warmer, and soon Bruce found himself looking forward to that moment more than any other. He made sure Dorothy made it safely home each evening too, a small act of care that didn’t go unnoticed. What began as a daily commute soon turned into the sweetest kind of journey – one that lead to marriage in 1953. When Bruce’s father passed away suddenly at the age of 57, the loss was both heartbreaking and daunting. Bruce was only 28, still finding his footing in the world, when he suddenly found himself responsible for the family’s future. After World War II, the ranch had been heavily mortgaged to keep the buses running through lean times. Now the burden of saving it all fell squarely on Bruce’s young shoulders. With little more than resolve, tireless dedication, and long days of hard work, he took charge, determined to save the ranch. It was a trial by fire, but one that revealed the quiet strength, determination, and perseverance that defined Bruce. Bruce was the kind of father whose presence filled a room even when he wasn’t in it. During the week, he lived at the Mooney Ranch, tending to the work that had defined so much of his life, but every weekend he flew home to Irving, Texas, where his wife and two daughters resided. Though the distance was not easy, Bruce made sure his girls never felt it. When he was home, he was fully there – telling stories from the ranch, teaching them about responsibility, kindness, and the value of hard work. Both daughters adored him, hanging on his every word, which was often filled with fatherly advice. To them, he was larger than life: a steady, loving figure in a crisp shirt, cowboy hat and ostrich leather boots who managed to bridge two worlds, the rugged independence of ranch life and the warm, protective embrace of family. Bruce was the kind of grandfather every child hopes for—wise, warm, and full of life lessons that somehow managed to stick. His grandchildren not only loved him deeply but held a genuine respect for the way he carried himself and the values he lived by. The fatherly advice he once gave his daughters extended naturally to the next generation—sometimes delivered with a twinkle in his eye, other times with the quiet gravity that made everyone listen. He offered plenty of guidance, and the remarkable thing was, most of it was taken—proof of the trust and admiration his grandchildren had for him. Bruce was the kind of neighbor everyone hopes to have—genuine, generous, and always ready to lend a hand or a listening ear. His kindness wasn’t fleeting or surface-deep; it was steady and heartfelt. After experiencing the heartbreaking loss of his daughter, Sheri, Bruce gained a profound understanding of grief and the quiet ache it leaves behind. That empathy shaped the way he cared for others. When neighbors faced tragedy, Bruce was there—not just in the first days when sympathy flowed easily, but in the weeks and months that followed, offering quiet visits, comfort, and companionship. His compassion left a lasting mark on those around him. And true to form, his advice giving was not limited to his children and grandchildren—neighbors, friends, and anyone who crossed his path often found themselves the recipients of his thoughtful wisdom. Bruce was an astute businessman, guided by a sharp mind and steady instincts. Whether negotiating a deal to sell hay or managing the ranch, he approached business with innovative ideas, combining creativity with sound judgment and a clear sense of purpose. Those who worked with him knew his word was as solid as his handshake, and that combination of wisdom and foresight earned him lasting respect in every venture he pursued. Bruce had a deep and lifelong love for flying – a mix of freedom, adventure, and purpose that suited him perfectly. What started as a practical way to cover the long distances between the ranch and home soon became one of his greatest joys. In addition to his regular flights home to Texas, he often piloted his small plane to the feedlots in the High Plains, where he sold the native bluestem prairie grass that the Mooney Ranch was known for. Bruce felt completely at peace in the wide-open sky. Bruce was immensely proud of his two daughters and took great joy in the fact that both graduated from Baylor University. His pride wasn’t just spoken; it was shown in the thoughtful, sometimes spontaneous ways he showed up in their lives. On many Sundays, he would climb into his plane and fly to Waco unannounced, calling one of his daughters upon landing to say, with a grin in his voice, “Come pick me up at the airport—I’m taking you to church and then to lunch.” Those surprise visits became cherished memories, a reflection of the deep bond he shared with his daughters and his unwavering love for them. Faith was a steady cornerstone in Bruce’s life. Until he was physically unable, he attended church faithfully, finding strength and guidance in worship and prayer. Even when his health kept him home, his devotion never wavered—on Sunday mornings, the house would come alive with the booming voice of Charles Stanley on the television, turned up so loud it surely could have been heard in the next county. It was Bruce’s way of staying connected to his faith and the spiritual rhythm that had always grounded his life. Bruce was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Dorothy, his daughter, Sheri Michele Mooney, his sister, Ina Rue Herlocker, and Helen Myers, the mother of Harold Gene Conrad, who Bruce considered his “other mother”. Bruce is survived by his devoted daughter, Tina Marie Koemel, who is truly her father’s daughter, and his grandchildren, Thomas Michael Koemel, Nicholas Andrew Koemel, Grace Ellen Koemel, and his devoted ranch foreman and dearest friend who he considered his brother of 69 years, Harold Gene Conrad. Harold’s undying dedication, hard work, and respect for the land played an enormous role in the life and success of the Mooney Ranch, embodying the same spirit of commitment and integrity that defined the ranch itself. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Rod Snyder and Tom Guthrie, the loyal ranch hands who worked faithfully on the Mooney Ranch for so many years. Through long days, changing seasons, and countless challenges, Rod and Tom remained steadfast and ever watchful over the ranch. The family will always be grateful for their loyalty. The family also extends their heartfelt gratitude to Bruce’s devoted caregivers, Raelee Kirkpatrick and Dana Daniels, who cared for him with such kindness and respect. They not only tended to his needs with love but also cherished his company—listening to his stories, sharing laughter, and learning from his not-always-so-quiet wisdom. Their warmth and companionship (and Dana’s cooking) brought Bruce great comfort and joy, and their presence was a true blessing in the last year of his life. Pallbearers will be Deanna Richison, Dianna Bunch, Andrea Roach, Colt Watson, Levi Watson, and Bobby Ziegler. Honorary pallbearers include Harold Conrad, Carl Conrad, Roger Meyers, Larry Meyers, Ron Watson and Mike Spradlin. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Wainwright, 1st Street, Wainwright, Oklahoma, 74468. Rest easy, Cowboy. You’ll be missed more than words can say.

Bruce Mooney

January 22, 1929 - November 3, 2025