Dr. Bruce Allen Melaas, Phd., 85, Denton, passed away on April 28, 2016 in Denton, Texas. He was born on October 24, 1930 in Huxley, Iowa to Ira and Madelia Melaas. He married Rosella Joanne Gjere on August 30, 1953, in Bricelyn, Minnesota.

He served as a Sergeant in the US Army during the Korean War. He received his doctorate from University of Kansas in 1958 and began work for Celanese Chemical Co. where his career spanned over thirty years. He retired in 1989 while living in Keller, but moved to Sanger, Texas in 1995 to fulfill a lifelong dream of raising thoroughbred race horses. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his family.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rosella, two daughters, Susan Crowell and husband Ronald of Flower Mound, Texas, Patricia Hall and husband David of Snellville, Georgia and one son, David Paul and wife Angie Melaas of Temple Texas, one sister, Helen Canine of Des Moines, Iowa, twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one son, Joseph Keith Melaas, two brothers, Donald Keith Melaas and Ira Joseph Melaas Jr.

A Memorial service will be held on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at the Chapel at Good Samaritan Lake Forest Village, 3901 Montecito Dr, Denton Texas at 2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the American Lung Society or Hospice.