Dorothy Bruns Roco

Dorothy Elizabeth Bruns was born on October 2, 1923, in Houston Texas to parents Joseph James “Bud” Bruns and Catherine Elizabeth Bockel Bruns. Dorothy remained in the Houston area until 2020 when she moved to the Lake Jackson, Texas area. Dorothy had one younger sibling, Mary Catherine Bruns.

Dorothy had three lives: She was born into her mother and father’s milk dairy and cattle ranch located in Almeda, Texas (Houston). Most of her childhood and teenage years were during the Great Depression. During that time Dorothy wore clothes made form livestock feed sacks and rode her horse to Almeda School. She was so small, she couldn’t reach the stirrups and needed help to mount the saddle. Dorothy was 12 when her sister was born. Mary Catherine had a heart condition that required her mother’s care giving attention until her death at 5 years. Consequently, Dorothy was raised by her cowboy father (Daddy), ranch hands, and extended family that spoiled her, taught her independence, trick riding horses, fishing, agriculture, and whole lot of mischief. She had no fear and would defend herself when needed. She was referred to as “Scrub” by the ranch hands. Dorothy often remarked that she was a tomboy and had a horse’s hoof print scar on her chin to show it. Dorothy graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1941 and attended Massey Business College. Upon completion at Massey, Dorothy worked for C.J. Thibodeaux and Co., an oil tanker shipping company. During WWII she delivered classified documents and payroll for the company in the downtown Houston area. Also during the War, Dorothy and her friends would volunteer to dance and entertain the “fly boys” at Ellington Field before they shipped off to war. She enjoyed travel with her friends and in 1946 she flew to Havana and Guantanamo Bay Cuba with them. Dorothy savored that time of life.

She left the ranch life at the age of 25 when she married Albert Stuart Roco (Al) on March 21, 1947. Dorothy had known Al since elementary school. Al asked Dorothy to marry him since the 6th grade at Almeda Elementary School. After she married, Dorothy became pregnant and was asked to leave the C.J. Thibodeaux Co. to raise her child, as was customary for that time. From there Dorothy used her business knowledge to support her home and her husband’s service station businesses of 35 years. Dorothy and Al enjoyed their “work hard and play hard” philosophy to life. They enjoyed boating, fishing, traveling, gardening, and entertaining friends and business employees. Dorothy and Al had three children: Rebecca Sue Roco, Martha Ellen Roco, and Albert Stuart Roco Jr., all of whom they spoiled. Dorothy raised her children in the Christian Faith and introduced them to travel in many National Parks, the western states and Canada. She devoted her life to Al until his death in 1988 and to her children until after grown. Dorothy loved all of her children unconditionally until her death.

Dorothy loved to travel, the beach, sunshine, wildlife, and being outdoors. She traveled many places with both her husband and with her daughter Martha. She continued to travel after Al’s death and over time visited almost all of the states, along with numerous countries and tropical paradises located within five of the seven world continents, packing many albums full of the photos and curio cabinets full of souvenir tchotchkes. She described Bali, Indonesia, as the most beautiful spot in the world. After Al’s death, Dorothy continued to fill her life with involvement at Almeda Methodist Church, which she attended from the time of its founding until it closed in 2014. Throughout her life she also taught Sunday school, served on many boards, and volunteered for many organizations, including Brownies and Girl Scouts. Dorothy also continued fishing, entertaining, and worked election polls. She also was an avid lover of games and would rarely miss Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud, a distinct favorite in later years. Dorothy was a formidable opponent at Chicken Foot and Skipbo and never failed to remind that “it’s 3 o’clock – time for Bingo” at her home at Carriage Inn. She eagerly spent earned Bingo Bucks winnings at the Community Store.

Dorothy was an amazing person. She was born at a time when household electricity was scarce, but was using a computer in her 90s. She was a faithful Christian, a patriotic American, a true Texan, and a world traveler. She was a beloved, devoted, generous, women that had a steadfast love for family and friends. She could be counted on to lend a hand, provide a meal, and tend to a person in need. She served her community and was an activist when needed. She regularly opened her home to entertain friends, neighbors, business associates, and her childrens’ friends. She was an adventurous woman that never met a stranger. She found people all over the world to be friendly and didn’t find differences in culture or language to be a barrier. She was dynamic, resilient, and could adjust to any situation and make the best of it. She was a very strong person, fearless, and did not complain. You would always know where you stood with Dorothy especially if crossed a line. Dorothy’s kindness, friendship, and tenacity was a positive influence to many, so that she was much loved by those who knew and understood her, including her Carriage Inn caregivers, friends, and neighbors in the last years of her life.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Joseph James “Bud” Bruns and Catherine Elizabeth Bockel Bruns; her sister Mary Catherine Bruns; her husband Albert Stuart Roco Sr.; her daughter Rebecca Sue Roco; and too many friends and family members to count.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Martha Ellen Roco, her son Albert Stuart Roco Jr, and daughter-in-law Colleen Roco.

As Dorothy peacefully described to her son in March 2026 during an emergency room visit,” I have had a long and wonderful life, but my body is worn out and I’m in my own way. I’m ready for heaven when God is.“ Dorothy was one of a kind and will be deeply missed and forever remember in hearts of many that by all who had the privilege of knowing her.