Samang "Cookie" Bruck's Obituary
In Loving Memory of Samang "Cookie" Bruck
Samang "Cookie" Naunan Bruck (Pet) was born to parents Chuan and Huan Naunan on February 1, 1952, at Mu 8, Amphoe Sena, Ayuthia Province, Thailand. Her Thai nickname, "Pet," translates to "Duck" in English. She was the oldest of 13 children. Her father worked as a boatman, navigating the rivers and canals of Thailand to deliver goods to towns and villages around Amphoe Sena, while her mother tended to the household and family. Growing up, Samang attended the local school and spent time helping with household chores and caring for her younger siblings. As the eldest, she took on the responsibility of looking after her brothers and sisters. Much of their time was spent managing the household, assisting their mother, and working in the rice fields. As a teenager, Samang worked in a lumber yard in Amphoe Sena before moving to Bangkok around the age of 16. There, she lived with a friend and worked in a plastic company called Bangkok Plastic Ltd. She also worked part-time in a hair salon, where she learned the trade while on the job.
In August 1969, while working in the salon, Samang was introduced to an American soldier named Bill by a mutual friend. Bill, who had served with Samang's friend's girlfriend in Vietnam, was on leave in Bangkok. After a couple of dates, Bill had to return to Vietnam, but upon his discharge in October 1969, he returned to America. In November of the same year, Bill received an airline ticket from his brother and sister-in-law and intended to visit a former girlfriend in Taiwan. However, he changed his plans in Tokyo, Japan and flew to Hong Kong instead. Missing Samang, he decided to travel to Bangkok to meet her.
In late November, Samang and Bill reunited in Bangkok, where they rented a small house and lived with Samang's girlfriend. In January 1970, they sought permission from Samang's parents to marry, and on February 18, 1970, they were married at City Hall in Bangkok, with Samang's parents in attendance. The cost of the marriage license and ceremony at that time was equivalent to 25 cents US dollars. However, the marriage license was misplaced in a taxi on the way home, leading them to obtain another copy the next day.
After their marriage, with the assistance of friends, Samang obtained her Thai passport, a visa to enter America, and made preparations to leave Thailand. In March 1970, with financial support from Bill's grandmother, Samang and Bill departed for America making a brief stop in Tehran, Iran to visit a friend before continuing to Berlin where they spent time with friends of Bill. They then traveled to New York City, where they initially stayed with Bill's brother Peter, and sister-in-law before eventually settling in Flushing, New York. Bill found work as a cargo agent at JFK airport, while Samang worked as a caretaker for the child of the cargo manager.
After about six months, Cookie and Bill received a complimentary trip to Iceland, courtesy of Icelandic airlines. Later, Bill changed jobs and began working for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as a cargo agent. After a year, they decided to move to California, but not before returning to Thailand for a visit. Upon their return to New York, they headed to LA in December 1971, stopping in Daytona Beach, Florida, to visit Bill's relatives along the way.
In LA, they initially lived with Bill's uncle and aunt before renting their own apartment in Van Nuys. Bill resumed his education at UCLA, while Cookie worked as a seamstress at Jantzen Company in North Hollywood, CA. While working at Jantzen, they meet Ramona and Val. The 4 of them became so close that they became Christine and Brigitte’s Godparents.
In July of 1973, they welcomed their first daughter, Christine Wandee, followed by another daughter, Brigitte Rose, in March of 1977. Once they finalized to relocate to Broken Arrow, OK, they had 2 more children. In August of 1980, they welcomed their first son, Billy, and in August of 1984, their second son, Michael. Over the years, they made several trips to Thailand and other destinations. In 1978, Bill completed his education, and his company transferred the family to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where they settled and raised their family currently.
In 1978, Bill joined the Broken Arrow Jaycees. Both Bill and Cookie were very involved with the local Broken Arrow Chapter. Samang was a mentor of the Broken Arrow Jayceettes, and eventually became Bill Bruck became the President of the Jaycee of Broken Arrow Chapter. Over the next 5 years, Cookie and Bill attended numerous Jaycee functions and meetings, both nationwide and locally. Additionally, Cookie was very well known with the Broken Arrow Soccer Club due to all her children playing soccer from 1981-2000. By her supporting her children’s sporting activities, she always brought her amazing home-cooked food to the games.
In 1983, Cookie met Virginia Graham, former President of AVB and the two became the very best of friends. Virginia had so much faith in Cookie’s skillset that she was actually the one to encourage her to open up her own restaurant. In October 1983, Cookie opened Cookie's Thai Café in Broken Arrow, which she successfully operated for over 40 years including with her starting out of her home. Since opening her restaurant, Cookie met and made so many friends from the Broken Arrow community and was lovingly known as “Cookie” by those dearest to her.
Samang’s most prized possession was her 1994 Red Convertible Mustang that she bought from one of her closest friends Jim Nelson, with Nelson Ford in Broken Arrow. Jim knew that the Mustang was a perfect fit after several weekends of letting Samang take the Mustang every weekend until she eventually bought it.
Throughout their lives, Cookie and Bill traveled extensively for both business and pleasure, getting to visit countries such as Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. For the last 7 years, Private Duty Aide Carmela Burr started to work for The Gold Star Bruck Family to help step in to take care of Cookie. The both of them formed a special bond and Carmela considered Cookie as 1 of her closest friends. Carmela Burr, has done a fantastic job in taking care of Cookie and making sure she was attended to in every way possible.
Carmela was also around when the Family received the worst news of their lives. On June 16th, 2019, The Gold Star Bruck Family on Father’s Day learned about the death of their son SFC Michael Charles Bruck’s death while being Active Duty while being stationed at Ft. Knox. SFC Michael Bruck, US Army 101st Airborne Ranger was a native of Broken Arrow, OK served as an Airborne Ranger Training Brigade Liaison Officer and Professional Development Non-commissioned Officer with the United States Army Human Resources Command and Infantry Branch at Fort Knox, KY. Since SFC Michael Bruck’s died while working Active Duty, the Bruck Family became The Gold Star Bruck Family. SFC Michael Bruck has served with the US Army for 17 years. The Gold Star Bruck Family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to Carmela for her care.
On February 19, 2024, at 2:10 PM, Samang peacefully passed away in the arms of her daughter, Christine, marking the end of a remarkable journey filled with love, adventure, and family.
Gold Star Mother Cookie Bruck, is preceded in death by her son, SFC Michael Charles Bruck, U.S. Army 101st Airborne Ranger, father Huan Naunan, mother Chuan Naunan, grandmother Rose Bruck, mother in law Mary Bruck, and brother in law Peter Bruck.
Gold Star Mother Cookie is survived by her husband and the love of her life, Vietnam Veteran and Gold Star Father, "Bill" William Michael Bruck. She is also survived by her daughter and Gold Star Sister, Christine Bruck Holman, and Christine's fiancée, Steve Myatt; her daughter and Gold Star Sister, Brigitte Ruckman (Bruck) and son-in-law, Scott Ruckman; her son and OEF & OIF 100% Disabled Veteran, and Gold Star Brother, "Billy" William James Bruck JR. Additionally, she is survived by numerous grandchildren, including "Cassie" Cassandra Holman Gonzalez and her husband Mitchel Gonzalez, William Bruck Jr, "Dom" Dominic Bruck, Destiny Bruck, Dallas Rame, Alex Ruckman, Kaylie Bruck, Lilly Bruck, "Bella" Isabella Bruck, and Alyssa Myatt. Furthermore, Cookie is survived by her Private Duty Aide for 7 years, Carmela Burr, as well as her siblings and family in Thailand, including her sister, Sirinat Eldridge, and Sirinat's husband Randy Eldridge. Cookie also leaves behind her sister-in-law, Donna McMurray, along with Donna's family, including niece Amanda Bruck and nephew Andrew Bruck and family.
Gold Star Mother Cookie Bruck will be forever missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. May she rest in eternal peace.
A public visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM, at Floral Haven Funeral Home: 6500 S 129th E Ave, Broken Arrow, OK 74012, for anyone wishing to come forward and pay respects to Cookie and her family.
The family will be hosting a celebration of life for Cookie within the near future. Details will be posted here on her tribute page when confirmed.
Anyone wishing to send flowers may do so by ordering through our website or by calling Floral Designs by Floral Haven at (918) 459-1525. Any independent florists may deliver flowers directly to Floral Haven Funeral Home by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in order for them to be set out and properly displayed for Cookie's visitation.
Arrangements entrusted to Floral Haven Funeral Home.
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