Robert Bunch of Sunbright, TN

Robert Lee Bunch, crossed over those Chilly Banks of Jordon on Thursday, August 3, 2017, to join His Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. His Homecoming must have been joyous with all those waiting on him in Glory.

He was 82 and born on March 10, 1935, to Ramsey Bunch Sr. and Lectie Daugherty Bunch in the logging and coal mining community of Liges Fork on New River (Devonia), Tennessee. He was Ramsey’s 12th child.

He worked in the logging and coal mining camps as a young teenager before enlisting in the United States Air Force prior to his 20th birthday. He served his Country during the Korean War and was a proud Veteran of 64 years for the United States of America.

Robert and Callie Sue Lively celebrated more than 45 years together. Robert brought two wonderful sons, Lester Robert and Richard Douglas Bunch, into their relationship and included her two young sons, Joe and Jerry Lively, as a part of their household. Two beautiful little girls were born adding to their family, Brenda Sue and Wanda Lee Bunch. Then came the final addition – Robert Edward “Robby” Bunch.

They lived in Deer Lodge across from his mom for a few years, then settled in Sunbright, Tennessee, where all the male Bunch kids played sports and participated in any community activities available. Robert and Sue were right there wherever needed. Robert mowed the baseball fields preparing for the seasonal games held on the old fields. His family has been a part of the Sunbright Tigers Athletic Program since the late 1970’s.

Besides enjoying the Sunbright Tigers, he could be found in his garden where he loved planting his vegetables. He taught his family the importance of being able to find food in the wild, rather it was poke salad, blackberries, ramps, or mushrooms – he could spend hours patiently by your side. He taught us how to hunt wild game in the mountains. Hunting ginseng was not only a viable part of his family income in the lean years, but it was a time of fellowship with family while walking miles in the mountains that he grew up in.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Laford Lace Bunch and Sarah “Sallie” C. Daugherty Bunch; his maternal grandparents Daniel Britton Daugherty and Susan Jane Mabry Daugherty; his parents Ramsey and Lectie Bunch; a son – Cordice “Corky” Lee Bunch; two grandsons – Joshua Robert and Richard Alan Bunch; great grandson – Caydon Scott Huseman; his step-son – Jerry Lively; siblings – Mary Opal Bunch Price, Lindsay Thomas “Buddie” Bunch, Fisher Bunch, Loranzie Bunch, Annie May Bunch Seiber Carroll, Leon Bunch, Tillman Bunch,  Elsie Marie Bunch Armes Liles, Dillard Bunch, Ramsey Bunch Jr., Velma Bunch Paxton, Castle Lee Bunch, and Sidney Lee Bunch.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Callie Sue Patterson Lively Bunch; his children Lester Bunch and Paula of Loudon; Richard Bunch and Doranne of Clinton; Brenda Bunch of Oliver Springs; Wanda Bunch and Robert Squire of Florida; and Robby Bunch and Bridgett of Deer Lodge; step-son Joe Wright and Gail of Wartburg. Grandchildren: David Bunch and Whitney of Clinton; Phil Bunch and Yana of Loudon; Michelle Bunch of Ohio; Kristie Young Firman and Adam of Chattanooga, Aaron Young of Wartburg, and Jordan Vann of Wartburg;               Anthony Stewart and Raven of Wartburg, Zachary Stewart and Meka of Lancing, Kelsea Stewart Huseman and Brandon of Sunbright, and Kristin Stewart of Kentucky; Tyler Bunch and Haley of Wartburg, Skyler Bunch and Chelsea of Deer Lodge, Hunter Bunch of Deer Lodge.

He was blessed with many greatgrandchildren: Zoey, Kellyn, and Carolina Bunch; Caleigh and Ethan Shannon, and Brantley Young; Braydon Huseman and Amadeus Stewart; and Grayson and Brynlee Bunch.

He is also survived by his loving brother Victor D. Bunch and Jennifer Hall of Coalfield; Sisters-in-law – Freida M. Bunch of Coalfield and Jearl Lively Bunch of Oliver Springs. He was truly loved by many nieces and nephews and more friends than “you-can-shake-a-stick-at.”

With our family it was never good-bye, but see you later!

The family will receive friends Sunday, August 13, 2017 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at Schubert Funeral Home in Wartburg with the funeral to follow at 4:00 PM with Bro. Charles Webb, Bro. Johnny Rexroad and Bro. Mike Hammonds officiating with a Military Honors to follow.