Carrie and Bruce work together to support many worthwhile philanthropic organizations in Tyler. Their major gift to the Creating Champions 2 Capital Campaign at All Saints Episcopal School led the Board of Trustees to name the school’s Student Athletic Center, “Bruce G. Brookshire Family Student Athletic Center.” The center is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in May 2008.

Bruce, a native of Tyler, attended Tyler public schools, the New Mexico Military Institute, and the University of Texas at Austin. While in high school and college, he played football and boxed. Upon finishing the University of Texas, he received a Second Lieutenant’s commission in the United States Air Force. Bruce married the former Billie Lou Parker, and they had two sons, Bruce Tim and Britton Parker. He also has nine grandchildren.

Entering the grocery business in 1950, Bruce worked as Store Manager, Grocery Supervisor, and President. He is currently Chairman Emeritus of the Board and Director of Brookshire Grocery Company, a retail supermarket chain of stores that employs 12,000 partners in 120 cities in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

The anchoring elements of Bruce G. Brookshire’s philosophy in life and in business reflect a strong belief in, and devotion to, the worth of other individuals:

• Priority: Put people first; profits will follow.
• Sell warm, friendly, courteous customer service.
• Pay obsessive attention to each customer.
• One's priorities should be: (a) love God (b) love family (c) love others (d) love yourself and (e) love your job.
• The qualities of a great leader are guided by honesty, integrity, and being people-oriented.

Bruce has received the following awards: Boy Scouts of America East Texas Area Council’s First Distinguished Citizen Award; the United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award; the Life Member Award of the East Texas Peace Officers Association; the Isadore Roosth Outstanding Philanthropist Award; the Tyler Salvation Army Others Award; and the American Cancer Society’s Excaliber Award. He is a charter member of the National Salvation Army’s William Booth Society.

Carrie has always believed in volunteering and supporting the communities in which she lives and has held numerous leadership positions in the following organizations: President of the Long Beach Day Nursery Board of Directors; President of Long Beach Civic Light Opera Board of Directors; Long Beach Unified School District Foundation Board; Chairman of Committee for Public Art - City of Long Beach; University of Southern California Trojan League; John Tracy Clinic; and Parent/Teacher Association. Scholarships established in Carrie’s name are awarded annually to the Long Beach Day Nursery and the Assistance League of Long Beach.

Bruce and Carrie were married in 2004. They attend numerous activities at All Saints in support of their grandchildren. Bruce’s involvement with All Saints began in 1992. His son Britt, and his wife Sunni, and their children Blake, Class of 2002, Chad, Class of 2004, Ross, Class of 2007, and Caroline, currently in 8th grade, have been very instrumental in the recent success of All Saints.

All Saints takes tremendous pride in presenting this year’s Flame of Excellence Award to Carrie and Bruce G. Brookshire for their dedication to our school.