Ross Elliot Bruns

Ross Elliot Bruns, 21, of Pensacola, FL, completed his earthly journey at his home while surrounded by family and close friends on Thursday, April 15, 2021, @ 4:45 pm CST. He battled cancer (osteosarcoma) for 4½ years. Everyone who knew him was strengthened and amazed by his courage and love of God from the beginning to the end. Ross was born August 26, 1999, in St. Marys, Ohio, to Dan & Mary Bruns and welcomed by older brother Mitchell. His first word was “ball,” and he loved to play outdoors. He was a loving and active boy who grew into a quiet guy with the perfect sense of dry humor. He was loved and respected by all who came in contact with him. Ross was homeschooled through the Abeka video program due to his family wintering in Florida. In 2005, his family relocated to Zephyrhills, Florida. Through the C&MA church, he followed his brother, Mitchell, into Bible Quizzing—a Bible memorization competition with churches all around Florida. His ability to memorize and his competitive spirit earned him “Rookie of the Month” more than once. He was an excellent student and a natural athlete: baseball was his sport of choice. He excelled in Little League and AAU competitive league. He was dubbed “Iceman” by his coach because he kept cool under pressure and never showed emotion on the field—even when pitching a no-hitter during an all-star game. He was admired by teammates, coaches, and parents alike. Ross was a true sportsman. He shared his love for baseball with his dad and brother. Many hours were spent throwing the ball (outside AND inside) and watching games of every level on TV: from Little League World Series to collegiate to MLB. When Ross chose to attend high school at Pensacola Christian Academy, his family moved to Pensacola in 2014. A favorite of his teachers, he proved to be an excellent student by earning straight A’s every grading period. He continued his baseball career with the PCA Warriors, even lettering for varsity his Freshman year. He also played competitive baseball with UTA in 2016, traveling to tournaments in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. On November 10, 2016, Ross was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. A fast-growing tumor had consumed the lower third of his right femur within months. He immediately began in-patient chemotherapy at UF Health Shands Hospital, Gainesville, FL. Over the next 4½ years, Ross endured 12 surgeries (which included two full knee replacements, a broken rod replacement, two soft-tissue tumors removed, multiple lung surgeries & biopsies, and a power port placement), in-patient intravenous chemotherapy, continuous intravenous chemotherapy at home, two different oral chemotherapy medications, PET scans, CT scans, X-rays, MRIs, physical therapy, and regular doctor checkups all in Gainesville—a 5-hour drive from home—in addition to several admissions to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola due to complications from chemotherapy and once for an infection of the left prosthesis, which resulted in a helicopter ride to Gainesville and another surgery. He quickly became a favorite among his nurses and doctors, some of whom would come to be close friends with the family. Through all this, his only complaint was that he wanted to be home instead of in the hospital: he never complained about the treatments or surgeries. He once said that his cancer was just an inconvenience; and in his final message to us, he said his life was perfect! Ross had a special bond with his Aunt Donna Albers, who was his biggest “cheerleader.” Even though she was fighting her own ovarian cancer, she still made the January 2017 trip from Ohio to Florida to be there for Ross’s surgery to remove the first tumor and replace his knee with a prosthetic. She encouraged him (in both words and her example) to keep fighting until she lost her own battle less than six months later. Due to the in-patient chemotherapy, Ross wasn’t allowed to return to the classroom to finish his Junior year of high school. He returned to PCA the following fall to repeat his Junior year. Although the cancer returned and he missed weeks of school due to surgery and treatments, he still completed the school-year on time, tying a classmate for the highest GPA. Assuming more treatment and surgeries were in his future, Ross chose to homeschool, once again, for his Senior year. He took his time amongst more surgery and treatment and finally received his diploma in January 2020. His desire was to attend college at PCC, but he wanted to wait until he was strong enough to live on campus without needing assistance. He was interested in the medical field and was considering physical therapy. After diagnosis, Ross wasn’t allowed to play baseball due to the risk of breaking his leg with the knee replacement. His lowered immunity also prevented him from gathering with friends. So, he turned more attention to gaming online with his friends; and Ross had a loyal group of friends. Even though he only had one biological brother, he would tell you he had more. He spent hours talking and gaming with a group of six guys from around the country. They started getting together once a year (in Ohio or Florida) after Ross was diagnosed. In his last few months, he gathered his friends for two weeks of final memory-making time together. They rented a house and spent time hanging out and riding roller coasters at multiple amusement parks in the Orlando area. During that time, both Ross and his brother Mitchell were baptized as a witness to the others that they wanted their lives to be dedicated to Yeshua/Jesus. Over the years, many family members, friends, teachers, church groups, & neighbors faithfully sent Ross cards and gifts, always with encouraging notes. He was blessed by the thoughtfulness of so many. A close family friend captured Ross’s personality in a message sent to him in his final days: “Ross, you are one of my top all-time favorite kids!! I love your smile and your slow walk that you have. You have amazed me with how smart you are, you have amazed me with how well you play baseball, you have amazed me with your kindness towards others, you have amazed me with the strength you have shown during this incredibly hard struggle with cancer. I appreciate you “putting up with me” and I appreciate your kindness! I always thought you strove to make others around you better, and yet you accepted them as they are, too. You have made me think more about why and what I believe and to strive to know the truth. So glad we will be together in heaven!! Love you!” Above all, Ross would want you to know that he loved his Savior, Yeshua/Jesus, and that those who trust in HIM will see Ross again. He spent his last day telling his family & friends of his anticipation for Heaven, his love for Jesus, and the great, surpassing importance of serving the Lord in this life, which Ross exemplified beautifully every day—and especially during his battle with cancer. Ross didn’t rebel against his parents or authorities. He didn’t question, “Why me?” He didn’t complain about his circumstances. But he did fully trust YAHWEH/GOD and HIS sovereignty. Ross was a loving son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew, and friend; he will be deeply missed by all! And even though we will miss Ross immensely, we are excited and happy for him. Ross is pain-free in his new body, and he is now on the best adventure of his life in the presence of his Savior-King Yeshua/Jesus and YAHWEH/The Almighty God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob! Ross is survived by:  Parents: Dan & Mary Bruns, Pensacola, FL  Brother & Sister-in-law: Mitchell & Ashlie Bruns, Rockledge, FL  Grandparents: Ferris & Karen Liske, Pensacola, FL  Aunts & Uncles: Deb & Marc Chitwood, Lebanon, OH Karl & Christy Liske, Celina, OH Dave & Angie Liske, Colorado Springs, CO John & Donna Bruns, St. Marys, OH Doug Albers, New Bremen, OH  Cousins: Mary & Cody Jackson, Cincinnati, OH Aaron Chitwood, Lebanon, OH Megan Liske, Colorado Springs, CO Eric Liske, San Angelo, TX Drew & Ashley Bruns, St. Marys, OH Justin & Victoria Bruns, New Bremen, OH Jake & Carrie Albers, New Bremen, OH Jenna & Josh Workman, Culver, IN  And Many Close Friends Ross was preceded in death by:  Grandparents John H. Bruns, SR. and Connie & Franklin Enicks  Aunt Donna Albers A recorded celebration of Ross’s life will be posted to social media in the near future. It will include video of Ross’s message to all of us the day of his home-going. In lieu of flowers, we ask you to consider donating in Ross’s memory to the orphanage programs at handofhelp.com and/or moriel.org. It was Ross’s desire to help other children enjoy a better life and serve Yeshua/Jesus! Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, & staff at UF Health Shands Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital & Peds Infusion, and VITAS Healthcare (hospice) for the excellent care and compassion that Ross received during his cancer journey.

Tributes

Ross Elliot Bruns

August 26, 1999 - April 15, 2021