August 5, 1923 – September 1, 2024

Bruce Ned Cheatham was born in Edgewood to Robert Boone and Hope Winifred Cheatham on the family farm. He grew up loving life. He excelled in school, was the high school quarterback and played the trumpet. Bruce attended the University of Texas and marched in the band during his first year. World War II broke out and he, along with his brothers, enlisted. So began the first of three careers that encompassed his life. Bruce became a Marine Corps fighter pilot and flew newly manufactured airplanes from the East Coast to California so that they could be shipped to the Pacific theater of combat. At the conclusion of the war, he was flying out of China. After the war, he attended SMU where he met and married Wanda Lee Fowler. He graduated with his BS in Geology. Together, they began a life of adventure. Bruce got his master’s degree in Geology from the University of Oklahoma. Bruce stayed in the Marine Corps Reserves and was a flight instructor during the Korean War. Career number two started and continued for 40 years discovering oil with Chevron. At his retirement party, the CEO of Chevron and a dear friend of Bruce and Wanda said, “Bruce Cheatham discovered more oil for Chevron than anyone in the history of Chevron. He could look at the land and know where to drill.” It was during this time that Wanda and Bruce had their four children. Career number three began at his retirement and brought him great joy. Bruce became a cattle rancher. He loved working cows, driving tractors and mending fences. Two years after the loss of his beloved Wanda and the end of their 49 years together, he met and married wonderful Janet Harris, and they were blessed with 25 years of marriage and an additional loving family. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Thomas and Robert, his wife, Wanda, and his son, Kirk Cheatham and his wife, June. Left to live with his memory are his wife Janet, sister Winifred Hope Parks, son Bruce Ned Cheatham, Jr and wife, Debbie, daughter Carol Lee Manley and husband, Richard, daughter Elizabeth Riveire and husband, Charles, grandchildren Erin Cheatham, Ben Cheatham and wife, Cheryl, Winston Manley and wife, Kelly, Shannon Manley Cardwell and husband, Cameron, Chase Riveire, great-grandchildren Audrey Grace and Bruce Cheatham IV and Cooper Cardwell, Wallace Harris and wife, Brenda, and children Ashton Eagle and husband, Anthony, and their children Evie, Hadley and August, Chelsea Harris and husband, Robert Guzman, and their children Abbie, Anthony and Riley, Justin Harris and wife, Emily, and their children Coleman and Raegan, Matthew Harris and wife, Stephanie, and children Alex and Cade. The family would like to express their appreciation to friends and church family for their support during this time. They would also like to thank Hospice Plus, Rebecca, Lisa, Chaplin Scott, Cathy and Linda. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to The Food Pantry or The Academy at First Methodist Church, Grand Saline, 501 North Main Street, Grand Saline, Texas 75140. You can direct your contribution to either, with a note on the memo line of your check. Pallbearers were Ben Cheatham, Winston Manley, Chase Riveire, Matt Harris, Justin Harris, and Richard Manley. Honorary pallbearers will be Bruce Ned Cheatham, Jr., Charles Riveire, and Wallace Harris.

Services for Mr. Cheatham were scheduled for Saturday, September 7, 2024, at First United Methodist Church, Grand Saline, with Dr. Kelly Krone, Richard Manley, and Bruce Cheatham III, officiating.

Interment followed in Woodside Cemetery, under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home, Grand Saline.

The family received friends one hour prior to services Sept. 7 at the church.