Bruce Hayes- Football 1993

Bruce Marlon Hayes passed away on October 29, 2022 at the age of 60 in his longtime home in Katy, Texas. Through his years of battling late-stage cancer, Bruce carried his cross daily and continued putting others before himself until the end. His final days were spent surrounded by loving family and friends.

Bruce was born to Marlon and Eleanor Hayes on August 5, 1962. He was raised in Coral Gables in Miami, Florida, as part of a large family with two sisters, Beverly and Barbra, and an older brother, Bobby. He was a fundamentally sound, if deceptively slow, athlete who grew up heavily involved in the local youth center, and went on to play football and soccer for Coral Gables High School. As an adolescent, Bruce was led to Christ and mentored by Pastor Dan Yeary, the Senior Pastor at University Baptist Church. He maintained an unwavering commitment to his Christian faith for the remainder of his life.

Following high school, Bruce relocated to Waco, Texas to attend Baylor University. He was a walk-on athlete playing quarterback for the Baylor Bears, and a member of the 1983 Bluebonnet Bowl team. At university, Bruce met lifelong friends and his eventual wife, Sharon Seeley. Upon graduating, Bruce became a missionary working with the Southern Baptist Mission Board and teaching English in Fukuoka, Japan for 8 years. Sharon eventually joined Bruce in Japan, and the two married on June 1, 1991.  Bruce and Sharon spent years as foster parents, eventually adopting their two children, Brady and Anthony. Now with a family, the pair settled down in Katy, Texas. 

A beloved community figure, Bruce was a teacher and coach at Cinco Ranch High School for nearly 20 years and impacted countless students and faculty members throughout his tenure. Going anywhere in Katy with Bruce meant setting aside time to talk with his innumerable friends you would likely encounter. His accolades include winning Cinco Ranch Teacher of the Year and KatyISD Teacher of the Year awards. Bruce also taught in Japan, Miami, Arlington, and Conroe, and maintained contact with past students from each career stop.

A service celebrating Bruce’s life and undying faith will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Second Baptist Church 1463 Campus in Katy, Texas, the Reverend Wes Yeary presiding.

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Harlan Lane- Football 1964-65

Harlan Conley Lane Jr. age 79, of Waco, Texas, passed away in a Temple Hospital on November 2, 2022.   A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Harlan was born in Valley Mills, Texas, to Harlan and Doris Lane December 30, 1942. He grew up along side his twin sisters Faylene and Kathleen.

He went on to graduate from Valley Mills High School in 1961 with many athletic achievements. Harlan continued his football career at Navarro Junior College where he was a football All-American player. He then finished his college football career at Baylor University in 1965, where he is still ranked in the top 35 all-time receiving yards.

In 1965, Harlan was drafted by the AFL Houston Oilers and the NFL St. Louis Cardinals. Harlan signed and played with the St. Louis Cardinals until he was drafted by the US Army to serve in Vietnam in 1967.  Harlan served his country in Vietnam from 1967-1968. He received many medals during his service to our country, including the Silver Star and Purple Heart, after being wounded in battle.

In 1969, Harlan began coaching and teaching high school, and continued coaching until he retired from Midway High school in 1999. While at Midway, he was often seen running on Hewitt Drive with his best friend Coach Bill Farmer.

After retirement, he enjoyed spending his time outdoors and driving his Jeeps. Even after retirement he continued coaching his grandson Cooper’s Little League teams along with his son Brian. He was also very active and enjoyed his many friends at Meadowbrook Baptist Church. During his coaching career he taught us all we could do tough things, and to never forget a good pair of running shoes.

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We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and teammates of the letterwinners we have recently lost.   “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

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