March 2, 1929 – January 14, 2011

John Dexter Bruton, Jr. was born March 2, 1929 in Mitchell County, Texas, to Martha Anne Dockrey and John Dexter Bruton. He had an older sister, Anne B. Fitzpatrick, and a younger brother, George L. Bruton. Growing up in Colorado City, Texas, he graduated from Colorado City High School and served in the United States Army from 1952 through 1954 while stationed in White Sands, NM, during the Korea War. John graduated from Texas Tech University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1958. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi and Kappa Mu Epsilon, the engineering and math honor society. He was a Fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers and a member of the Texas Society of Civil Engineers. Mr. Bruton was a Registered Professional Engineer for the state of Texas and was employed by Humble Oil & Refining Company, later Exxon, for his entire career. He held various positions in the Production Department and later transferred to the Land Department where he served as the Operations Manager for the development of Kingwood, Texas. He was often referred to as “Mr. Kingwood,” a title which brought him great pride.

He married his high school sweetheart, Dalphene Edwards, on June 26, 1948, and they would have celebrated their 63rd anniversary in 2011. They had four children; Deborah Bruton Stephens, married to W. Max Stephens; John Edward Brusen; Karla Bruton Smith, married to Bryan C. Smith; and Kirk Stephen Bruton, married to Lynne Dampier Bruton. John and Dalphene were blessed with 13 grandchildren and 2 additional grandchildren by marriage: Tom A. Bruton, married to Emily Puhl Bruton; Rachel D. Smith McNally, married to Brandon S. McNally; John David Bruton; D. Lyndsi Stephens; Krista D. Stephens; Reagan A.C. Smith; Clint S. Bruton; Dale L. Bruton; Michelle A. Brusen; Haley B. Brusen; Kelli C. Brusen; Casey D. Brusen; and Alys J. Bruton.

He was preceded in death by his father, John D. Bruton, Sr.; his mother, Anne Dockrey Bruton; and sister, Anne Bruton Fitzpatrick. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, brother, and large extended family.

Mr. Bruton experienced a wide, varied life with many accomplishments and felt his greatest accomplishment was his marriage of 62 years and his four children. He was equally blessed to have planted the Kingwood Church of Christ in 1971, and to have led the first worship service in his Kingwood home. John was blessed to have served as one of the congregation’s first elders.

As the Operations Manager for Exxon’s real estate development division, Friendswood Development Corporation, John was responsible for the planning, development, engineering, and construction of Kingwood. He was very proud of the challenging project, superior product, and beauty of Kingwood. He chartered Kingwood’s first Boy Scout Troop, Troup 1377, and served 35 years as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Harris County, retiring with honors in 2010.

He retired in 1992 from Exxon Mobil and he and his wife purchased a ranch in the East Texas town of San Augustine where they enjoyed the beautiful ranch for 11 years before moving back to Kingwood. He greatly enjoyed having a place for his children and grandchildren to experience and explore the beauty of the outdoors.

He had three priorities in his life – God and His church, his family, and his country. He was faithful his entire life to the Lord, loving and supportive of his growing family, and a dedicated patriot to this wonderful country. The Lord took him by his hand and welcomed him to his Heavenly home on the early morning of January 14, 2011, at his home in Kingwood, Texas, surrounded by his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made, in honor of John D. Bruton, Jr., to the Christian School of Kingwood, 806 Russell Palmer Rd, Kingwood, TX 77339, or the charity of your choice.

The family hears his voice call to us from his Heavenly Home, “Come when you can!”

Arrangements under the direction of Kingwood Funeral Home, Kingwood, TX.