MGYSGT. Thomas E. Bruner Sr., son of the late Charles David Bruner, Jr. and Rhoda Henrietta Elam was born on March 26,1938 in Owensboro, KY. He graduated from Owensboro High School in 1956.

MGYSGT. Bruner Sr. served in the United States Marine Corps for 27 and a half years. He was a Vietnam Veteran (served in Vietnam from August 1967 to August 1968). He garnered the National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal with 2 Stars. He was a Combat Air Crew with 3 Stars. He received the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Stars. He also received the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation Gallantry Cross.

He died peacefully on September 25, 2025, at the Tennessee State Veterans Home, Humboldt, TN. He was married to the late JoAnn Runyon. He is survived by his three children, Thomas E. Bruner Jr., David Lee Bruner and Sandra Morton and his Half-brother Arch Hamilton.