John Bunch

John Bunch

LaFollette, TN

John Parker Bunch (J.P.) passed away Sunday. June 21, 2015 in Oak Ridge, TN, at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Dean (Wier) Bunch; children: Sherry Jensen (Chris), of Murfreesboro, TN, Susan Moore (Jim), of Perry, GA, and Jay Bunch (Cathy), of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren: Christa Court (Mike), Leigha Lafferty, Parker Moore, Edward Moore, Ashley Bunch, and Pete Bunch; great-grandchildren: Briley Lafferty, Charlie Lafferty, and Sadie Court; sisters: Mary (Wells) Wier (Joe), of Fisher, IL, Joan (Bunch) Kloss, of Tulsa, OK, Anita Bunch Campbell, and Wanda Bunch Torbett, both of Arkansas; brothers: Ron Wells (Joan), of Charlotte, NC: Jerry Wells (Anita), of Lafollette, TN; and Gerald Bunch, of Arkansas; aunt: Mildred Stanfield, Lafollette, TN; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Winfred Bunch and mother, Lena Ruth Parker Bunch Wells; and stepfather, Grant Wells; sisters: Helen Wells, and Margaret Bunch Wallace; brother: Leon Bunch.

John was born in Valley Creek, TN on February 11, 1928 and grew up in the Lafollette area. He left there for service in the Army Air Force in Roswell, NM during WWII. When his military service was complete, he returned to the Lafollette area for a time before finding work with the Marmon Group in Detroit, MI at Detroit Steel, and later at Triangle Auto Springs in Columbia, TN. He was with the Marmon group for a career spanning over 44 years, working from entry level to Plant Superintendent in the leaf spring industry. He and Dean married at Jacksboro United Methodist Church, where they are members and raised their family in Madison Heights, MI and Columbia, TN, before retiring to Oak Ridge.

John was a lifetime member of the FreeMasons, also a member of Rotary International of the Columbia TN Noon Rotary Club, he was selected by his fellow members as a Paul Harris fellow and Pancake Day chairman for many years. He maintained 20 years of perfect attendance. He was an avid reader and movie buff with a special liking for westerns; and could often be found on the golf course. In his younger days he could be found in the billiard room of the Royal pool room. John also sang with the church choir. The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff and administration of Ben Atchley State Veterans Home in Knoxville, where John received professional and loving care.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday June 23, at the Jacksboro United Methodist Church, 5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., followed immediately by Masonic Rites and funeral; officiated by Reverend Dave Grant. Burial will be on Wednesday, June 24 at the Jacksboro Cemetery, service at 11:00 a.m. For condolence preferences other than flowers, the family suggests donations to the Jacksboro United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be given online at http://www.cross-smithfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Cross-Smith Funeral Home, LaFollette.