Bruce Nolan Menking

Alice-Well Done, Thou Faithful Servant; The obituary of my husband, and best friend Bruce Nolan Menking. 

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21

Bruce Nolan Menking went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 15th, 2021 and was born in Alice, Texas on December 07, 1952 to Alonzo and Jean Gold Menking.  Having graduated from his Alma Mater Texas A&I University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science.  He was one of the best well known Real Estate Agents in Texas and for the last 25 years he worked for Century 21/ Hallmark Realty in Alice, Texas.  Being an active member of Alice and Jim Wells County, he was a past Alice Chamber of Commerce ambassador and Alice Chamber of Commerce and Alice/ Jim Wells County Economic Development board member and was inducted into the Alice Hall of Fame. His home church was Immanuel Lutheran Church.  He and I shared a home in Alice, and a home in the “Hamptons”
in Benavides, Texas.   

We were married on December 19, 2009 after an 11-year courtship; He proposed to me, his “Honey Bunny” in Fredericksburg, Texas on a ranch overlooking a pond; he said, okay, I am ready! 

Bruce was a devoted servant to both the Catholic Church and Immanuel.  Every night, while in his office, he prayed to St. Therese and Padre Pio for complete healing, listened to hymns, 70’s and 80’s country songs, studied his Bible and devotional. Bruce Loved Our Lord and Savior and believed - Jesus gave a wonderful, open invitation to every weary soul (Matt. 11:28), “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”  He is now at rest and has complete healing.

He was an exceptional dancer and danced at almost every dance hall across Texas.  He and I shared many waltzes and polkas.   On a weekend, you could find Bruce feeding his deer and taking care of the land that my father had entrusted him with for almost 23 years; he loved being on a tractor as much as he loved selling real estate.  Four years ago, we made the move onto the Menking home place, where he was most at home.  He made sure the front of our home faced the back 40 to see the wildlife and all that nature had to offer.  He had a sense of patience that no one could match.  He was an avid bow and arrow hunter.  Every year, he harvested  2-3 bucks from the family ranch in Ramirez, Texas and on the Menking home place. He would sit in his blind, read his devotional, a hunting magazine, or look at his phone all while waiting for the “buck” of a lifetime. Two years ago, he was sitting in a blind, waiting for the “buck” of a lifetime, which he did show but my Little Indian was looking down at his phone, texting offers and missed the entire show. Bruce was not an early riser except during hunting season. Out of bed at 4:30, at the blind by 5.  He loved hunting and just about every Christmas, one gift from him was no doubt ammo, or a gun.  He said, “Honey, you must take care of yourself when I am gone.”

Real Estate was his passion, and right up to the end, in a hospital bed, he was finalizing a real estate transaction. He was always recognized for his achievements and for many years, he was awarded local and regional awards for the most production/ sales but the highest honor for him was being awarded the Centurion Award from Century 21 -on 3 different occasions. Reaching the milestone was one of his proudest moments.  

Bruce was a very humble man, believing that we did not have to tell everyone about good deeds, but rather that our deeds were kept with God.   His favorite color- no doubt was camouflage.  For work, you could usually find him in a pair of work jeans, camo shirt, but for church it was crisp blue jeans, white or blue long sleeve shirt and his boots that he had since college- Yes College. 

Bruce had a way with people; his sense of humor and his infectious smile just brought a certain peace. He would ask, how can I help you today?  What do you need?  Every morning, at the breakfast table, okay who can we help today?  If someone were in need and he could help, he would say – write a check and when it came to closing on a sale, he was always willing to give up a little to close the sale, “it’s okay, it’s better than zero”.  

Bruce was ready and answered His call; he has completed his last sale and is now in His “Home” rejoicing with his father Alonzo, his father-in-law, Amado Garcia and brother-in-law, Jody.  Bruce is survived by his wife Virginia G. Menking, his mother, Jean, mother-in-law, Anita; his brother Brian (Ann) Menking of Alice, Texas, and sister Cynthia (Gordon) Huyser of Whitehouse, Texas, Brother/ sister-in-law Amado & Leticia Garcia of Freer, Texas.  Bruce is also survived by his furry (cats) children, whom they affectionately knew as “Daddy”; Professor Theodore, Juliet, Twinky, Winky and Dinky Menking along with his barn cats - Fluffy, Miss Kitty, Blackie, and Whitey. A special nephew, Jordan Garcia, whom he considered to be his “son” and his little “fella” (Great Nephew- Jody). Nephews, Chris Menking (Erin), Aaron (Rachel) Buster, Cody Garcia, Caleb Garcia, Jordan Garcia, nieces, Heidi (Ian) Brauckseiker, Ariana (Michael) McClellan and special niece Liana Laso; great nephews/ nieces (Auggie, Ryland, Curtis Arthur, Morgan, Madelyn, Olivia Joyce), special cousins he considered as brothers; Robert Menking and Don Schuette and many dear friends and family.   

The family would like to thank everyone that trusted Bruce with their real estate needs; he was always so thankful for every opportunity.  We also would like to thank everyone for their prayers, calls, text messages, flowers, memorials, and most of all for thinking of us during this time. 

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday, May 21, 2021 at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home -San Diego 1016 E. Gravis San Diego, Texas., A Prayer Service will be recited at 7:00 p.m. the same evening.  Funeral Service will be celebrated on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church 1400 N. Texas Blvd. Alice , Texas. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery.  Due to Covid-19 Pandemic will ask that you wear a mask at the Funeral Home and Church.  Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Homes, Inc. in charge of arrangements.  

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