Bruce Gayle Millsap of Abingdon, Virginia, age 81, passed away on March 22, 2018 at Bristol Regional Hospital, Bristol Tennessee.
Born to LND (Donald) Millsap and Mamie Allen on August 8, 1936 in Abingdon. Bruce was the eleventh of eleven children. A graduate of Bethel Elementary, Abingdon High School (1954) and East Tennessee State University (1962) where he played basketball.
He served in the United States Air Force from December 6, 1954 to July 3, 1958, and was stationed in Texas, Illinois, Germany and Austria.
Bruce worked for International Salt Company (PA) as Regional Sales Manager with territorial responsibilities for the Southeastern Region of the United States, during this time he resided in Atlanta, Georgia. He returned to Abingdon in 1981 and retired from the US Postal Service in 1998.
Bruce as an avid golfer winning numerous tournaments and championships in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana. Bruce taught golf until his vision began to fail.
He enjoyed raising beef cattle and farming, he was a member of the Washington/Smyth County Cattleman Association. Another passion was buying and selling antiques and he spent endless hours refinishing antiques.
Bruce was proceeded in death by his father, LND (Donald) Millsap, his mother, Mamie Allen Millsap. Brothers – Bob Millsap, Boyd Millsap, Carl Millsap, Claude Millsap, Donald Millsap, Luther Millsap. Sisters, Nellie Millsap, Verna Ruth Fleenor, Irene Wade and Virginia Williams.
Survivors include his niece and husband who were his caregivers Diane and Ike Thomas (Abingdon). Two nephews: David Millsap, wife Mary (Abingdon), Ronnie Millsap (Bluefield). Niece: Luann Fleenor Johnson (Johnson City). Great nieces Bethann Fleenor, SaraKay Fleenor and Traci Millsap. Special sister-in-law Nora Millsap (Abingdon). Special friends Walt Cobb, Bobby and Roxanne Holloway, Donald and Eleanor Thayer, Ken Nease.
Visitation will be held on from 1:00pm – 2:00pm on Saturday March 24, 2018 at Frost Funeral Home in Abingdon with the funeral service to follow at 2:00pm with Pastor Donald Thayer officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at Rosedale Baptist Church (Abingdon) with military honors following the funeral.
Active pallbearers Ike Thomas, Jason Thomas, John Thomas, David Millsap, Tim Pickle, Andy Trent, Russell Trent, John Holloway. Honorary pallbearers: Walt Cobb, Bobby Holloway, Ken Nease.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in celebration of Bruce’s life may be made to Rosedale Baptist Church, American Lung Association or American Heart Association.