Perry Andrew Bruner "Wolfie" "Bear" "Brune" "Harry Burns" "Cheeseburger" "Tallu's guy" "Jean Luc the famous" "Daddiuski-oski" "Wolfpa", 67, longtime resident of Stillwater and Ponca City, OK, went up to that spirit in the sky the morning of July 14th, 2024, after a long battle with many illnesses. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Perry was born July 24th, 1956 in Sedan, Kansas to Frank and Darlene Bruner, the youngest of their three boys. He spent his early life in Moline, Kansas helping out on the family farm, causing trouble all around the Elk County area, and playing ball in his street shoes. The local kids made fun of him until he cracked that bat the first time, and found out he played circles around them in those street shoes! Even then, he was setting fashion statements.
He graduated from Central of Burden High School, making lifelong friends, causing chaos at the theater in Howard, amassing the largest 8-track collection (except Seasons In the Sun), playing more softball, eating all the cheeseburgers, and generally being way too cool to see the Commodores on the Senior Trip. From there, he briefly traumatized Southwestern College with the Beta Rho Mu guys before eventually settling on the blue-collar life. He earned his most iconic "Wolfie" moniker from Cowboy at "the Packin' House". His first day, he rolled up with that hairy face and that signature PB BS, and Cowboy said, "Well, we've got ourselves a Wolf-Man here!" By the end of his first week, Wolfie was his permanent name. Later, he moved on to become Cat Cracker Extraordinaire at Conoco in Ponca City, where he set an early precedent of either entertainment or mayhem at the South Plant, depending on who you talked to. Humor aside, his pride and joy in that job was his involvement in the development of the OKIES Observation Program, as he was passionate about keeping his crew safe. He worked until 2004, where he then retired to a life of leisure with his "puuuuupies", Boris and Bruno. In his later years, he enjoyed notoriety as "the guy with the dogs", watching his best friends coach their teams, going to all the "Greet and Eats" with family and friends, and going to concerts, especially if Grand Funk was playing. He took in many OK State Girls' Basketball games, and became a parking guru for OK State Game Days, earning years of repeat customers, and sharing the wealth with his neighbors.

He became a father in 1985, first to Jessica, then in 1987, to Joshua, during his marriage to Tamra Lane. He adored being a father, and approached it in his own Perryful way. He instilled that same love of learning, music, wonder, and weird humor that eventually continued on with his grandson, Braden, as well. Road trips were always fun, usually ending up at a friend's or family member's house for food and fellowship. Eschewing corporal punishment, he preferred the "walk around the neighborhood to get across the street" lectures about actions and consequences, which could be lengthy. Once, at the 3-hour mark sometime in 1995, Jessica finally asked him, "Would this be faster if you just beat us?". Still, those lectures always inspired reflection, and today, the kids are grateful for them. He made sure they knew how to drive a car in all conditions, where the cleanest bathrooms always are no matter what town you find yourself in (hospital ER), and the coldest Dr. Peppers are always in hotel vending machines. He always supported his children's interests, even if they differed from his own. He was truly their biggest fan. He became a legend of his own with their friends, eventually starring in a student film entitled "Shadowbunny" about 2005, and he became a local celebrity around the Northern Oklahoma College crowd. He eventually became a Wolfpa to Braden in 2005, and CJ in 2023. Like with his children before, he instantly became their biggest fan, and additionally, consistent purveyor of OK State and Eskimo Joes gear.

He loved softball his entire life- first playing, then coaching, then watching. He was so proud of his girls, and his friends who became coaches, and their players, too. From Moline to Burden, to Winfield, Ponca and more, he loved and cherished all the moments. He loved to eat, and was almost as famous for his massive appetite. He personally funded the local taco and burger places he lived around, and Taco Tico probably owes him a stock portfolio at this point. As much as he loved his music, his mistress was television. He loved all things Mel Brooks, Green Acres, Andy Griffith (with special reverence to Barney Fife), The Beverly Hillbillies, Get Smart, to name just a few. A friend hosted Perry's girlfriend once, and warned her, "I hope you really like watching TV!" He was always quoting movies and shows, and even up to the end, the TV was on.

Perry's unique brand of humor directly contributed to his personality, though it wasn't for everyone. You could always be sure that he had something witty or sarcastic to add, and if it wasn't that, it was likely a well-placed burp or fart. Which, like the rest of him, was epic. From high school, the "Packin' House", Conoco, raising his children, to his final days- there's a fart story or several to reference, and he took pride in it. He wasn't perfect, and he was aware of that. Ever humble, he always told his children, "Use me for the lesson, kids. I'm the best example of a bad example." He always tried to see reason, and was quick to admit when he realized he got it wrong. He looked at life always with wonder. He was a once-in-a-generation character. Someone said it best: Wolfie was not just a person, he was an experience. He will be deeply missed.

His family invites all who knew and loved him to join them in a celebration of life at Strode Funeral Home, Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Saturday, July 20th, at 2PM. There will be a viewing from 4-6PM, Thursday, July 18th, and Friday, July 19th. Come marvel at his toy collection, bring him more trinkets and tokens to take with him, and slap a bumper sticker on his casket to prepare him for his final ride! Perry loved his wacky outfits, so you are encouraged to wear anything you think he would get a kick out of. He wanted a party, so come share stories and laughter and clap for the Wolfman one more time!

He is survived by his brothers, Alan and Rod Bruner; his daughter, Jessica Bruner (Handy Green), his son Joshua Bruner (Due Viet Cao); his grandson, Braden Abel (Emma Lewis); as well as many honorary children and grandchildren, and his beloved Sunny and Miss Kitty (SB). He joins his parents, Frank and Darlene Bruner, endless family members and friends, and his favorite "puppies", Boris and Bruno. Honorary pall bearers are Tom Starkey, Hal Ankrom, Jim Littell, Mark Carvalho, Gerald Malcolm, Timmy Lane, Shelby Holcomb, Rod Bruner, and Alan Bruner. The family would like to thank the incredible staff at Stillwater Hospital, especially the ICU, the rehab unit, and Elara Home Health Care group for taking such excellent care of Wolfie.