Roll Call Tribute

Jim Brunjes
December 13, 1946 - July 30, 2022

The family of Jim Brunjes will host a time of fellowship and remembrance from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, August 4, 2022, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. Services to honor his life of 75 years will be at 10:00 AM, Friday, August 5, 2022, at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Graveside services will follow on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at 2:00 PM in the Evergreen Cemetery, McLennan County, Texas. He passed on Saturday, July 30, 2022. We invite you to view the live-streamed service and sign his virtual guestbook.

On December 13, 1946, Jim was born, the eldest of four, to the late Charles and Dorothy Nell (Winkler) Brunjes in Waco, TX. Jim attended Texas A&M where he received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1969 and master’s degree in statistics in 1972.

His curiosity and competitive spirit led him from teaching Jr. High students to working for the US military and NASA shooting missiles out of the sky with other missiles. Although Jim thought the work fascinating, curiosity led him back to A&M and the internal audit department and from there, his path was set on course for Texas Tech University. However, between those two careers coming together, he worked for a brief stint for Southwest Airlines as the vice president of systems. He designed a reservation system that was used for 28 years by the airlines. Jim also played a role in the development and training of the Rapid Rewards program. In 1991, the former president and chief operations officer of Southwest Airlines and the current president of Texas Tech University led him to Texas Tech University. Jim served as a longtime vice chancellor and Chief Financial Officer of the Texas Tech University System, among holding many other job titles and responsibilities during his 25-year tenure at Tech. At the age of 70, he retired. His co-workers wrote “Jim’s leadership and service went far beyond his expertise overseeing the financial strength and stability of the system. He cared deeply about our students and the people throughout our system and universities. Jim was a man of high integrity and strong moral character. He personified what it meant to be a servant leader.”

Jim married Marie Meyer in 2016 and they enjoyed many years of companionship and traveling together. He passed on Saturday, July 30, 2022. He was a loving father to Jennifer, Todd, and Greg.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Brunjes; children, Jennifer (Scott) Belfanti, Todd (Crysty) Johnston, and Greg Johnston; grandchildren, Ben Johnston, Laura Johnston, Anna Johnston, Will Johnston, and Jack Johnston; siblings, Mickey (Rita) Brunjes, Jean (Leslie) Brunjes; and Jane (Jorge) Gonzalez; and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Jim Brunjes has designated the South Plains Food Bank for memorial contributions donated in his memory.