Charles Bujan

Port Aransas, Texas

Local politician, fishing guide, volunteer prison chaplain and retired insurance executive, Charles Robert Bujan, passed peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at the age of 77, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Charles was born on August 9, 1944, as he said, “between Port Aransas and Corpus Christi” as his mother, Viola Mildred Bujan, went into labor on the ferry ride to the mainland.   The son of both Viola and Charles Clifford Bujan, Charles grew up in Port Aransas, an island off the coast of Texas, which had wild horses and cattle on it.  His father raised cattle on what is now known as The Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture.

Charles attended school in Port Aransas through 8th grade and transferred to Aransas Pass for high school, where he was quarterback on the football team.   Soon after graduating and a short stay in Kansas, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Turkey as an Air Force sergeant in communications.

Charles returned to Port Aransas and obtained his bachelor’s degree from Corpus Christi University.  Afterward, he moved to the northeast and spent 16 years there, before returning to Texas - first in Houston and then returning to Port Aransas in the early 1990’s.

Charles started his fishing guide business Beacon Charter Service and spent many early mornings on the bay hunting for red fish and speckled trout.  He had many stories from his days as a guide, but probably his favorite pastime was the pelican who would follow him back from a day on the bay waiting patiently for his share of the bait.   This pelican started Charles’ passion with pelicans and he began to surrounded himself with pelican art from local artists.

Charles began his local political career in 2007, when he won his first seat on the Port Aransas City Council.  He served on City Council for three more terms and then was elected as Mayor of Port Aransas for three terms, with his most recent term ending in 2022.

Charles was selfless when it came to his most impactful role, as Mayor on the council.   He saw this as giving back to a community he loved and wanted to protect.   Much of his help went unnoticed, as he was focused on solving residents’ problems and putting Port Aransas first.   There were many things that challenged him during this period, from fighting the Port of Corpus Christi to his commitment to rebuilding the city after Hurricane Harvey.  He led from his heart and made difficult decisions, even when it wasn’t the easiest one.

We could not celebrate Charles’ life without noting the work he did for the community after Harvey’s devastation.  Mayor Bujan spent day and night working with local, state, and federal officials to ensure that Port Aransas was rebuilt and that her residents could put their lives back together.   He was and always will be part of “Port Aransas Strong.”

Charles is preceded by his parents, Viola and Charlie Bujan and his sister Charlotte Roser.   He is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years Sherri Bujan, his sons Rob Bujan (Jeffrey Perry) of Hudson, NY; Jon Bujan of Houston, TX; his step-daughter Jennifer Kinberger (Garth Kinberger) of Boston, MA and step-son Erik Thompson (Tiffany Thompson) of Port Lavaca, TX; his grandchildren Ava & Jack and his adopted grandsons Clyde Sanders and Sean Thomas.  In addition to many nieces and nephews in Kansas and numerous cousins in the Coastal Bend.

Charles was many things to a lot of people.  He was Bubba to his sister, her children and grandchildren.  He was Sergeant to his platoon in the US Air Force.  He was Coach to Galloway Township soccer team, “SOB” or Umpire to the minor league teams in South Jersey.  Boss in his Human Resources department at Prudential.  Captain to his clients at Beacon Charter Service.  Chaplain at the McConnell Unit in Beeville, TX.  Mayor to his beloved Port Aransas community and Friend to so many others.  Peepaw to his treasured grandchildren Jack and Ava Thompson and adopted grandsons Clyde Sanders and Sean Thomas.  He was a proud Dad, Pops and Chuck to his children, Rob, Jon, Jennifer, and Erik.  Most of all, he was a husband to his adoring wife Sherri, whom he always said was his soulmate and the love of his life.

Memorial services will be held at The Port Aransas Civic Center on Saturday, March 5th at 2PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: The Mayor Bujan Community Scholarship Fund – American Bank 216 S Alister Street, Port Aransas, TX 78373.

Online condolences may be left at www.charliemarshallfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements entrusted to:

Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes and Crematory

2003 W. Wheeler Ave.

Aransas Pass, Texas 78336

361-758-3221