Stjepan Kotrulja

Stjepan Kotrulja was born in Savar, Croatia, on August 2, 1946 and went to be with the lord on December 5, 2015.

Loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He loved spending time with his family barbequing, playing with his grandkids and his accordion with his son. He was a Captain on several commercial vessels including his own "Miss Vanessa" and "Miss Taylor". Always putting the need of others before himself. He was a strong man that never complained even though he was fighting the biggest fight of his life battling stage IV cancer. He was a giving and amazing dad. We will miss him more than words can express.

We'll Always Love You, Dad!

Each day you strived to live,
Your body too weak to be.
Your love will live forever,
Since your heart has set you free.
Now you walk so bravely,
You feel the pain no more.
Angel's have come to guide you
And bring you to Heaven's door.
Memories we'll hold so dearly,
Your smile, warmed our hearts.
And through our lives you'll live,
You've touched so many parts.
Hard days may be before us,
It's all a part of God's plan.
Why you left so soon,
We may never understand.
You'll be alone no longer,
And you'd tell us, "Don't be sad."
Please believe, you were no burden
We'll always love you, Dad!
Our lives have changed forever,
Since the day you passed away.
In Heaven you'll be waiting
To meet us again someday.

Our father died peacefully at home among his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Marion and Marica Kotrulja; his brothers Mladen, Rodo, Mario Kotrulja and his sister Zorka Hruncev.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years Divna Kotrulja of Lake Jackson, Texas; son Elvis Kotrulja, wife Jerri of Irving, Texas; son Olivio Kotrulja and granddaughter Taylor of Lake Jackson! , Texas; daughter Dalida Borders, husband Joey and grandchildren Joe, Jack and Peyton of Pearland, Texas; daughter Cherry Hollis, husband Greg of Lake Jackson, Texas; son Steve Kotrulja Jr., wife Melissa of Houston, Texas; daughter Vanessa Kotrulja, fiancé Damon Bailey and granddaughters Bella and Lara of Clute, Texas; sisters Stosija, Marija, Lanka and brother Krsto.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at Dignity Restwood Funeral Home in Clute, Texas. Funeral services will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Lake Jackson, Texas. Graveside services will be after funeral services at 2:00 p.m. at Dignity Restwood Funeral Home in Clute, Texas. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to any cancer foundation of your choice in memory of Mr. Kotrulja.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dignitymemorial.com.

Final arrangements were made by the Dignity Memorial Restwood Funeral Home 979-297-2121.