Bruce Russell Ralston

A mass of Christian Burial for Bruce Russell Ralston will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception with Reverend Louis Sklar serving as celebrant. Burial will follow in Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Visitation will be held Friday, August 16, 2024 from 5 PM until 8 PM at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home.

Bruce of Natchitoches, passed away on August 14, 2024 at the age of 64. Bruce was born on November 09, 1959 in West Union, Iowa to Robert John Ralston and Lona Russell Ralston. He graduated from West Union High School and later graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapides, Iowa.  Bruce was proud to serve as a Sargeant in the 256th CAV in the Louisiana National Guard during Desert Storm. 

Bruce also owned and operated Ralston Exterminating Company which was founded in 2008. In his spare time, Bruce enjoyed boating and fishing on Sibley Lake. He loved the outdoors and could spend hours exploring nearby woods and wildlife. Bruce spent hours in his garden and loved riding his scooter on back roads and trails.

Bruce is survived by his wife Debbie Vercher Ralston and son Tyler Russell Ralston (Brooke) and new granddaughter Blakely Raye born August 8, 2024. He is also survived by his mother Lona Russell Ralston of East Moline, Illinois, sister Lynn Ralston Colberg (Kent), of East Moline, Illinois, brothers Robert (Bob) John Ralston, Jr. (Mary), of Natchitoches and David Glen Ralston (Carolee), of Idaho Falls, Idaho, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. 

Bruce was preceded in death by his father Robert John Ralston, Sr. His father-in-law Nicholas Lynn Vercher, Jr. and his mother-in-law Billie Grayson Vercher. His paternal grandparents Glen Raymond Ralston and Zella Fairchild Ralston and his maternal grandparents Floyd Ralph Russell and Viola Oakes Russell.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Ronnie Vercher, Kent Colberg, Ryan Owens, Ward Morgan, Scott Sesker, Hugh Smith, Kevin Warner, and A. J. Leach. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Flack, Jim Bryant, Max Morgan, Drew Harlow, Larry Broadwater, Tommy Vercher, Donnie Vercher, and John Vercher.