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John Bunting Obituary
Louisville - "Great men need not that we praise them; the need is ours that we know them. Whether we be of their faith or another, whether we stand where they stand or tread another path, we are the richer that they lived."
Dr. John Louis Bunting MD passed away on Monday, April 27th 2020 at the age of 84 from advanced Parkinson's disease. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Dewey L. and Gay Hicks Bunting.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Linda Dillard Bunting, son John Louis Jr., daughters Allison (Talmadge Vee) Hays, Jennifer and Karen Bunting. Grandchildren: Ian and Evan Hays, Sydney, Jacob and Grace Bunting, Allie (Lee) Skov, Austin and Jesse Alberhasky. Brother Dr. Dewey L. (Shirley) Bunting and sister Linda Gay (Mike) Brumback.
He was a graduate of Murray State University, The University of Louisville School of Medicine, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. After 30 years of a thriving practice in General and Peripheral Vascular surgery, he felt the call on his life to lay that aside and go to Africa to share the message of Galatians 2:20 and Colossians 1:27.
"John Bunting was the pinnacle of a complicated 'good'- a 'realistic' good. His life was not easy to understand. He was not a simple entity; but watching the progression; watching the man change from disgruntled teen to devoted father; from devoted father to amazing doctor with complex wealth: a human who relished in cars and ego … to care; to becoming the man who'd give it all up in the name of God, to go to Africa to create real good; to coming home to be the grandfather and idol to insecure little towheads; from pillar to decaying totem. John Bunting has always illustrated to me the beauty of life in the name of God. He said to me once that life isn't about immediate pleasure, it's about the overall equation, and at the end of the day, we can look at our Deity and smile, because we see at the end, that where we are, is where we've always been meant to be, and that is God's glory." - Written by: Ian Hays, Grandson.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to a 501(C)(3) which is dedicated to global mission work: Apostolos, 2931 Ridge Rd., Ste. 101-141, Rockwall, TX. 76032
We look forward to the time when the social restrictions necessitated because of the Covid-19 outbreak will pass, and you can join us for a celebration of his life of love, service, and passion.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Bunting
Sponsored by The Courier-Journal.
Melinda Lyon
April 25, 2025
I love seeing the picture of the smiling John Bunting that I so eked with, that operated on my father and made awesome fudge in the OR in down time. He was one of a kind. I´m so fortunate that I knew him and could call him a friend.
Dianne Costlow
December 28, 2020
Sorry to read about John. My note to you about your message for Sabrina was returned. Hope you are doing well.
Andrew Bailey
May 30, 2020
I am a better man for having known John.
Diane Sampson
May 4, 2020
He did two of my surgeries and my sisters and he met with my son Mickey about Africa.He was one great guy .So sorry for you loss.
Jerry Thomas
May 3, 2020
Truly a most uncommon man, a medical doctor who never put himself above the most down-trodden person. He has left a mighty large footprint.
Jerry Thomas
May 3, 2020
Truly an uncommonly good man, a medical doctor who never put himself above the most down-trodden person. He has left a mighty large footprint.
Kevan Hicks Shaheen
May 2, 2020
John Bunting was one of my favorite people. As a little girl my mother had my brother and I sit at the kitchen table and write letters to John Lewis when he was in the military, I was thrilled to be a a junior bridesmaid at his beautiful wedding to Linda Lou. He drove his early morning milk truck out to Dixie Highway to talk to his aunt and uncle, my parents and he valued them as special people in his life. My cousin made me laugh, we had a similar sense of humor and I enjoyed working with him in the hospital setting when I became a nurse. He always told me i was part of the "chosen people" all those prayer warriers in our past who lifted us up and dedicated each one of us to Gods plan for our lives. Family meals on holidays where a blast, John was a consummate entertainer who always had a way of making laughter bring us all together and lead to some truth we all needed to understand. He was a wonderful friend during this life and I know he will be rejoicing with his ancesters of whom he was so proud - I can see his father Dr. Bunting, grandfather Dr. Hicks, and my brother, his cousin Dr Hicks III sharing the profession that they all knew and loved and the changes that took place through all the years following the 1916 graduation of Dr. Hicks from medical school at the University of Louisville. What a reunion! Interesting side note, Dr. Hicks was 2 years out of medical school when he got the spanish flu in 1918 and came very near death. God had lots of reasons to keep this family moving forward.
Kevan Anne
Sissie
May 2, 2020
Dr Bunting was a fun man ! Always happy. Excellent doctor and liked his job. Great man!
Melinda Lyon
May 1, 2020
My memories and association with John goes back to Louisville General Hospital in the 60s when he was a surgical resident and I was a 3-11 charge nurse in the OR. We worked hard, but in the downtime between cases we laughed a lot and John made the best fudge on a Bunsen burner. When I came back from nurse anesthesia school, I was privileged to work with him John once again at St Joseph Hospital and Suburban Hospital. He operated on both my parents. He was an excellent surgeon who genuinely cared about all his patients, a loving family man, a good friend but most of all, he was a devoted servant of God the Father. Heaven has a bright new smiling angel. Rest In Peace, John Bunting.
Cathelma S
May 1, 2020
I had the privilege & pleasure off working with this wonderful Dr. & person from my arrival @ Audubon in 1980 until he left to answer another call to service. I enjoyed doing procedures with him. My prayers and condolences to his family...Cathelma S.
Lisa M
May 1, 2020
I worked with him at Audubon from 1984 on. He was always fun and happy. Great surgeon.
Donna Brenzel
April 30, 2020
A love for others, always wanting to tell the story to others about what God did in his life and always telling someone that it was available to them also. My cousin, My dear friend. I love him so much. I will miss him
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