Bruce Titus Gable

Bruce Titus Gable, age 81, quietly died on Tuesday November 29^th in hospice care at Community Hospital. A lifelong resident of the Irvington neighborhood in Indianapolis, he was born on April 29^th 1941 to Nancy Jane (Hall) Gable and George Gable. He graduated from Howe High School in 1959 and attended Butler University for 2 years. He married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Bruness in January of 1963 and they remained deeply committed to each other for the next 60 years.

He will be fondly remembered for his genuinely friendly nature, big smile and positive outlook on life. His work ethic was impressive and notable from his first job at age 16 working for Perfection Paint and Color Company (purchased by the Gable family in 1922) to his planting of trees and picking up litter in the neighborhood. In 2012, he was presented with a “Founders Award” by the Irvington Community Council in recognition of his community work as an “Honored Volunteer”. His commitment to Irvington was surpassed only by his love of sprint car racing, buying and selling antique advertising pieces and editing the Early V8 Ford Club of America’s (Indiana Regional Group #56) newsletter for which he won multiple national awards. He cut his creative “editing chops” during the 1970’s producing the programs for the Indy Idlers 500 Rod Round Up–an annual event that attracted “hot rod” car enthusiasts from all over the country! He joined the “Idlers” in High School.  He approached these passions of his life with a childlike enthusiasm that was infectious. He was also a big rock-n-roll fan, who was most comfortable moving through daily life in a sweatshirt.

He was a man in perpetual motion; always working on his “next” house renovation project with his wife, improving their rental properties, or helping his kids with their houses. He took great pride in making things look and work better. He actively looked for opportunities to be helpful. Sadly the last two years of his life, he spent battling Parkinson’s disease and dementia which robbed him of his ability to remain engaged in the active parts of his life; especially the helpful, caring parts that defined him as a husband, a father, a family member and a friend.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn, son Mike (Lauri), daughter Amy (Robert) Hendrickson, older brother Fred and half-sister June (Gable) Troxler, and 4 grandchildren: Connor Gable, and Melina, Mara, and Ryan Hendrickson. He was preceded in death by his parents. Bruce has been cremated and a memorial service is being planned for the spring. Memorials can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

The family encourages you to leave condolences and memories via the comment section/”Guest Book” below. Comments will be shared at Bruce’s celebration of life.

Bruce’s visitation will be May 27th, 2023, from 10-11am, at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center (5350 University Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46219), with a memorial service to begin at 11am.  The family encourages everyone to dress casual, the way Bruce would like it! Racing themed attire is encouraged!