Bruce F. Slocum was called back by the Lord on Monday, April 5, 2021.
He was a resident of Dallas for 59 years. Born March 19, 1933, in Carbondale, he was the son of the late Floyd and Imogene Slocum. He was married to the late Nancy Evans Slocum for 60 years until her passing in 2015. Bruce attended Babson Institute, Wellesley, Mass., and the University of Scranton.
He served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. Bruce spent his growing years in Scranton. He started in the insurance business in 1957 as a life insurance agent, moving to Dallas in 1962, where he started and founded an independent agent and broker agency, Slocum Insurance Agency, continuing until his retirement in 1988. He was very active in his community and Dallas United Methodist Church, where he served on the administrative board, board of trustees as chairman and treasurer and most recently “as the general in charge of the church services.” He was a 17past member of Dallas Rotary Club, past president and board member of Valley Tennis and Swim Club, member of Trucksville Vol. Fire Co., former treasurer and executive board member of Back Mountain Memorial Library Association, past Noble Grand of Oneida Lodge #371 Independent Order of Odd Fellows, life member of George M Dallas Lodge #531, Caldwell Consistory Bloomsburg, Irem Temple Shrine, past director of Nesbitt Hospital, served as director of Wyoming Valley Health Care System and a member of Metropolitan Advisory board of First Eastern Bank.
Bruce (and Nancy) enjoyed many trips all over the world, their favorites being the Caribbean Islands. He also enjoyed outdoor activities, hunting, fishing, but his real passion was playing tennis. He loved his matches with his sons, grandchildren and friends. He (and Nancy) relished being with and playing tennis with all their many friends and fellow competitors at Kingston Indoor Tennis and Valley Tennis and Swim Club, the get togethers afterward and their get togethers on off days. All of his playing partners and opponents can attest to his “slight competitiveness” and “playing spirit” (heard he missed a lot of line calls in later years … just saying!). That “spirit” stayed with him in the trying past year of COVID-19 restrictions and limitations as he bantered with and charmed (tried to) the nurses and staff to make the best of the situation, change the rules a bit and constantly tried to “get out for a haircut.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sister, Beverly Slocum Brougher.
He is survived by brother, Barry Slocum (Anna), New Hope; brother-in-law, John Brougher, Queenstown, Md.; sons, Scott Slocum (Brenda), Montoursville; Brett Slocum (Susan), Dallas; and Bartt Slocum, Shavertown; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express our sincere “thank you” to all the staff and nurses at Mercy Center, Dr. John Prater and staff and Dr. John Carey for all your kindness and compassion extended over the years. We sincerely appreciate it.