Born on July 23, 1959, in Columbus, Ohio, Bruce attended elementary school in Champaign, Illinois, and high school in Greenville, Texas. He later graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with a bachelor's degree in computer science.
After an initial position at Illinois Power, Bruce's career took him to Chicago, where he worked as a software engineer. Later, he moved to Dallas, then Aliso Viejo, California, to work for America Online (AOL). He spent a summer in Lucerne, Switzerland, for AOL. In 2010, he returned to Greenville to retire.
Bruce married in 1998, then divorced in 2004.
He enjoyed classic cars, particularly his beloved black Corvette. Before a series of injuries prevented him from driving it, he would often use it to visit parts of northeastern Texas. He liked taking road trips to explore parks, nature, and the open road. He cherished his cats and doted over them, including his latest, Tommy. He enjoyed reading travel magazines and science fiction.
Bruce is survived by his two brothers, Arnold (Molly) of Mundelein, Illinois, and James (Irina) of Overland Park, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard (Betty) Grahl of Greenville, Texas, and Mary J. Grahl (nee Laird) of Savoy, Illinois.
Arrangements were handled by Coker-Mathews Funeral Home. His ashes will be laid to rest in East Mount Cemetery. In his honor, donations can be made to Easter Seals.
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