James Bruce Friddle

A world traveler and devoted family man, died on January 9, 2018 at the age of 82. His illustrious career in filmmaking culminated in a Silver Circle Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, but it is his journey that is most impressive.

James Bruce Friddle was born on October 5, 1935, in Stockbridge, Georgia to James Penn Friddle and Bessie Francis Bailey, and they soon moved to Savannah, Georgia, where he grew up. After spending a formative summer in Cherokee, North Carolina as an assistant lighting director for the production of Onto These Hills, his love affair with theater began. In the 50’s, Bruce work on the production crew of WSAV TV in Savannah, WSM-TV in Nashville on the Grand Ole Opry Show and WNBC in New York on production crews for The Dinah Shore Show and Wide Wide World.

Bruce and Gabriella Angelica Paredes Moron, from Arequipa, Peru, met the summer of 1958 and a life long partnership ensued. Gabriella had just moved to Savannah to study, after much pleading with her hesitant father who gave her his blessing telling her he did not want to truncate her future. After a year-long courtship, they decided to get married in 1960 and move to Lima where both their children, James Edgar and Patricia Ann, were born.

During their early years in Lima, Bruce was on the production crew for 36 documentaries of the ancient ruins of Peru, which sparked yet another life long passion of Bruce’s – the ancient Peruvian cultures. One of these documentaries, The Gallant One, was nominated for an Oscar. When the contract for the documentaries expired, Bruce turned to the business world working in the insurance industry. Political unrest in Peru during the mid 70’s, however, led Bruce to pursue a job opportunity in Caracas, Venezuela. Although his work in international management was a departure from his cinematic roots, he continued to volunteer with the American Choral Society and other actor’s guilds in Caracas working on numerous theater productions.

Bruce and Gabriella relocated the family to Dallas, Texas in 1979, with the Continental Insurance Company and he later founded a production company. Bruce joined the City of Plano in 1988 to establish the PTN – Plano Television Network. His team garnered over 190 production awards, including prestigious Emmy nominations, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the creative process.

Bruce was a humble man of few words who always preferred a behind-the-scenes role and one-on-one conversations. He was a doting grandfather who played “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” for his grandkids during difficult times and pushed them to try their best. But most of all, he was a loving husband who enjoyed exploring the world with his beloved Gabby. He was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather and friend. His passing is a loss to all of us.

Bruce is survived by his wife Gabriella Friddle of Dallas; children and spouses James and Samantha Friddle of Houston, Patricia and Michael Stefanek of Dallas, 6 grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces and countless friends who will forever be touched by his many acts of kindness.

There will be a rosary service at St. Thomas Aquinas Church – 6306 Kenwood Ave - at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 19, and the memorial mass and reception will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to Esperanza y Caridad, Bruce and Gabby’s life long charitable organization that educates and serves meals to some to the poorest children in Lima. Donations can be mailed ATTN: Cindy Engles, 3510 Turtle Creek Blvd #17b, Dallas, TX 75219.