Few chances in life do you have the opportunity to meet someone like Bruce Lowery.

Although I only knew him a few short years, he was always kind, helpful and funny. Whenever I, or someone else, was in need of information or simply just wanted to chat about a problem, Bruce was always able to produce or lend an ear.

We were not friends outside of work. Some of my best memories of Bruce came following Atmore city council meetings when he and fellow inspector Chris Black would entertain me with their funny antics. We had fun at each other’s expense, but it was refreshing to step out of the typical business frame of mind and enjoy ourselves at the close of a Monday.

I did, however, have the opportunity to spend time talking sports and family with Bruce over a meal from time to time. Those few instances I was able to spend with Bruce was all I needed to conclude that he was a good guy, a person who would bend over backwards for you.

He often talked about his family. I could tell his world revolved around it, and his three children, which he bragged on time and time again. His children’s feelings towards their father were mutual, which was evident from his son, Brad’s, post on his Facebook account.

Following Bruce’s wake Monday night, the caption under a photo of Brad and his dad after his graduation from Northview High School last year stated, “My best friend. My hero. Was then, Forever will be!”

That statement is true for many who Bruce had relationships with, whether it was family, friends or co-workers. In meeting those who knew him during his wake, they all had memories to share and they all did so with smiles on their faces. It was as if they knew Bruce was smiling down on them.

More than a thousand people filed in and out of the funeral home that night to pay their final respects to the man they loved, respected and appreciated. He left a lasting impression on me and we had only met. Imagine if we would have had more time to get to know one another.

Even though I pull for the Tide on Saturdays, War Eagle Bruce, you will be sorely missed.

Adam Prestridge is publisher of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123.