It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Captain Joseph David Bujnoch Jr. Captain David passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the age of 54, at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. His battle with cancer in recent years showed his ability to face challenges with courage and unwavering optimism.
David was born in Houston on Oct. 16,1970 to his loving parents JD (Joe) and Edith Bujnoch. He attended elementary school in LaVernia and middle school and high school in Flatonia. As a high school student, he was very active in 4-H, FFA and band. He was proud to have lifelong friends from elementary and high school who offered tremendous support during his illness. After graduating from Flatonia High School in 1989, David attended Blinn Junior College on a band scholarship. He carried his love for music with him throughout his life. He went on to pursue an associate’s degree in electrical instrumentation from Texas Vocational School. From a very young age, David could be found working cattle, driving tractors, fixing machinery and mending fences on his family’s ranch and his grandpa’s ranch. He was born with a love for hunting and fishing that he shared with his dad and grandpa. David, with his entrepreneurial spirit, was very proud of Circle B Swine which he and his siblings started when he was in high school and continued to operate into his college years. Circle B Swine produced several award winning hogs for the Houston and San Antonio livestock shows as well as the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.
In 1995, while working for Texas A&M-College Station, David met his loving wife of 28 years, Tracy. They began their life as husband and wife and moved to Corpus Christi in 1997. While working for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, David earned his U.S. Coast Guard’s captain’s license. While operating research vessels for Texas A&M, he began his illustrious career as a fishing charter captain. He continued to work for A&M for many years before becoming a full-time guide and charter boat captain. David’s love for fishing and his uncanny ability to “read the water and find the fish” made him an outstanding guide. He competed and placed in many fishing tournaments over the years. He never missed an opportunity to take out his boat with his faithful “road dog” Aussie riding at the helm. Upon his passing, many of his clients and friends praised him for creating “unforgettable moments” and bonding experiences for their families. David’s career as a captain took him all over the world. He was proud to have captained sport-fishers in Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras and many other places. He spoke proudly of his trips through the Panama Canal. Throughout his career, he helped many others obtain their captain’s license and pursue careers on the water. The guides he fished alongside were not only his friends but also his family He will be greatly missed in the fishing community.
David is survived by his wife of 28 yearsTracy Hopkins Bujnoch, as well as his mother Edith Johnson Bujnoch of Port Lavaca. He leaves behind two sisters Joanne (David) Soward of Rockport and Carol (Jeff ) Asci of Wyoming, RI as well as one brother Raymond Bujnoch of Corpus Christi. He will be greatly missed by his five nieces, Emily (Matthew) Gaither, Lillian Asci, Emily and Brenna Sestak, and McKinkee Hopkins, and his four nephews, Alexander Klein, Evan Asci, Matthew Sestak and Maxwell Hopkins. The loss of David will be mourned by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins as well. His faithful companion and service dog, Captain Aussie, will miss his presence immensely..
David was preceded in death by his father Joseph “JD” Bujnoch, paternal grandparents Julius and Lillian Bujnoch and maternal grandparents Carl Johnson Sr. and Josephine Machost Johnson.
Funeral services will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Koerth between Sweet Home and Ezell (13202 FM 531, Hallettsville). The Bujnoch families were original parishioners of this church. Visitation with family will be held on Friday, July 18 at 9 a.m. with rosary to follow at 10 a.m. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served immediately following at the Parish Hall. Honorary pallbearers will be Dayne Yeager, Jacob Marmalejo, Josh McClain, Scott Schmidt, Alexander Klein, Evan Asci, Matthew Sestak and Maxwell Hopkins In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made toward expenses incurred during David’s illness at the Go Fund Me page honor-captaindavid- help-with-expenses.
One of David’s final wishes was that no one cry for him. He wanted his life celebrated with laughter, funny stories and memories of the many adventures he shared with family and friends. Memories and/or pictures of David can be shared on the Seaside Funeral Home website at seasidefuneral. com These items will be shared at the dinner.
“Life with David was always an adventure. Please continue to celebrate David by remembering him when you’re having a great day on the water or in a hunting blind, when you’re watching a beautiful sunset and when you’re pursuing your own adventures,” his family writes.