I am re-posting this from Feb. 1st, because I have to visit my son today in Sheridan, Illinois, and it takes up most of the day, and because I don't think my Yellow Rose of Texas ever saw this.
Thanks for your indulgence!
FAN FRIDAYS
Where I talk about my all tom favorite entertainers, and just plain cool people!
I meant to write tom, I'm weird that way!
TEXAS BRUCE
A.K.A. HARRY GIBBS
1917-2008
Harry Cochran Gibbs, a local television actor and announcer best known for his role as Texas Bruce on KSD-TV's "Wranglers Club," died Friday (July 18, 2008) at Surrey Place in Chesterfield. He was 91 and a resident of Webster Groves.
As the lean, soft-spoken cowboy named Texas Bruce, Mr. Gibbs entertained thousands of young buckaroos in St. Louis every weekday afternoon from 1950 to 1963. Prior to Texas Bruce, Mr. Gibbs worked as a performer and announcer at KSD.
Mr. Gibbs was born in Wagon Mound, N.M. He earned a bachelor's degree in drama from Washington University in 1941. He then served as an officer in the Marines in World War II...
Above is a portion of the obituary for Harry Cochran Gibbs (flash to Jethro Gibbs), that did not even scratch the surface of what this man meant to the children of the St. Louis area from 1950 to 1963, and beyond!
There was never a better role model for kids, who not only brought us our beloved Lil' Rascals and other cool stuff, but would stop and take the time to talk to us about being safe, and right and wrong.
He was a really cool "cowboy" who didn't talk in a silly, wacky voice, but with his natural, New Mexico accent.
If you are from St. Louis, and watched his show, would I be wrong in saying we LOVED this man?
Our dads may have been at work, but we had Texas Bruce to talk to us, and make us feel warm and secure.
The area kids were invited to the show, and it was a badge of honor to be there, and have the awesome privilege to say Hi!..
to your friends and family through the MIRACLE of television!
Remember television was NEW in the 50's!
Rumor has it, that one kid gave "the finger" to the camera and said, "This is for you, Herbie!"...or something like that...but I don't know if that has ever been confirmed.
This is for you, Herbie!
I would have given anything to be on the show, but I was never part of a "group."
The show always seemed to have kids in "groups," like the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Weebloes, and such.
Even at the age of 5, I was a loner on the dirty, mean streets of St. Louis.
I know what you may be thinking...Why are you writing about Texas Bruce in 2013 when he passed in 2008?
Because, I needed to!
Hasta La Vista Vaqueros!!
