James Roy Bunner Jr.

James Roy Bunner, Jr. died on October 9, 2015. Roy was born in Vicksburg, MS on June 15, 1940 to James Roy Bunner and Nell Marguerite Schwem. Roy, his parents, and his younger brother, Joseph Clifton “Cliff” Bunner moved to Corpus Christi, TX in 1949, and then to Houston, TX in 1957. Roy graduated from Bellaire Senior High School in 1958 and then attended Sam Houston State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English. Upon graduation, he taught English, Mathematics, and Spanish to elementary, middle, and high school students at inner city, Houston-area schools. Roy married Eleanor Rodriguez on December 28, 1968. She was the love of his life for their 46-year marriage. They had one son, James Thomas “Jim” Bunner, born on May 16, 1970, of whom they were extraordinarily proud.

Roy was a gentle, kind, and unassuming man who loved golf and loved football and was a loyal Houston Oilers and Houston Texans fan. He was devoutly spiritual and celebrated his love for our Lord Jesus Christ at St. Thomas More Catholic Church for many years. He was a member of Perpetual Adoration and Nocturnal Adoration, and was a beloved and highly regarded member of the Parish.

Roy is predeceased by his parents, his uncle James L. Schwem, his aunt Alpha C. Schwem, his sisters-in-law Franceane H. Bunner and Carmen R. Regaldo, and his brothers-in-law John Rodriguez, Rosendo Rodriguez, and Daniel Rodriguez. He is survived by his wife Eleanor, their son Jim and his fiancée Virginia Menjares, his brother Cliff, his sister-in-law Mary Guerrero and her husband Enrique, his brother-in-law Rodolfo and his wife Toni, his brother-in-law Augustine and his wife Josephine, numerous nieces and nephews, and an army of cousins, many of whom were accomplices to his mischievous childhood antics which included blowing up metal trash cans with cherry bombs.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at Forest Park Cemetery located at 6900 Lawndale St., Houston, TX 77023. Roy’s life will be celebrated at St. Thomas More Catholic Church located at 10330 Hillcroft, Houston, TX 77096 on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place thereafter at Forest Park Cemetery followed by a reception for family and friends at the funeral home.

We love you, Roy (Dad)! Our lives were better because of you.