Gerald Bunt's Obituary
Gerald (Jerry) Kenneth Bunt, 85, passed away on July 6, 2024, in Longview, TX. He is now rejoicing with his Savior, Jesus Christ, and so many other family and friends that passed before him.
Son of Perry and Media (Richardson) Bunt, he was born October 1, 1938, at Walker’s Mill, near Hallsville, TX. Jerry had an ideal childhood growing up in the country with loving parents, playing with cousins and friends in the large sawdust piles and learning to swim in the local swimming hole. He graduated from Hallsville High School in 1957, where he was a star athlete and was eventually inducted into Hallsville High’s Hall of Fame, the “H” Association. He loved the Hallsville Bobcats and remained devoted to his alma mater and his classmates his entire life. After brief stints playing football for North Texas State College and Stephen F. Austin University, he honorably served our country in the U.S. Air Force from 1960-1965. He was stationed in Victorville, CA and Homestead, FL during his service and was stationed in Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He told many stories about his time with the Air Force and the moment President Kennedy visited his base in Florida soon after the conflict with Cuba subsided.
During his time at North Texas State College, he went on a blind date with a “city” girl from Dallas named Janice Atteberry. He was immediately smitten, but he soon transferred to SFA and then eventually enlisted in the Air Force. They stayed connected off and on during his early years in the military, and he soon realized that he would never find a better wife and life partner than Janice. Besides his decision to follow the Lord, this proved to be the wisest decision he made in his life. After hitchhiking from CA to TX (arriving on the day of the wedding!), Jerry and Janice were married on June 10, 1961, in Dallas, Texas and were blessed with sixty-three devoted and loving years of marriage. Jerry adored Janice and they were the perfect example of genuine love and faithfulness throughout their marriage. They had three children, Jeff, Jay, and Jody and eventually had two grandchildren and multiple bonus-grandchildren. He adored his sons and was an involved, supportive, and loving father. They are blessed to call him Dad. He was the best “Papa Jerry” to his grandchildren, and they provided so much joy to his life!
Once his military service concluded, Jerry and Janice arrived back in East Texas in 1965. Soon after, Jerry and his dad, Perry, bought a fishing camp at Lake ‘O the Pines and named it Perry’s Cove. They owned and operated Perry’s Cove from 1965 – 1977. It was demanding work running the business, but he cherished the time working with his dad and met many great people and lifelong friends during this time. Also, soon after their arrival in Longview, they became involved in a small church that had recently been planted - Pine Tree Church of Christ. Jerry eventually served as a deacon at the church and he and Janice have remained active members for over fifty-nine years. He cherished the worship, lifelong friendships, and support that Pine Tree Church of Christ has provided for almost six decades.
After Jerry and his dad sold Perry’s Cove, he worked at Lone Star Steel for 19 years until his “retirement” in 1996. A couple of years later, he began serving as the Director at the Caring & Sharing Center, a local food/clothing pantry sponsored by Pine Tree and Alpine Churches of Christ. Jerry served 20+ years as Director and developed many close relationships with the volunteers. These years proved to be some of the most fulfilling of his life – he was honored to serve, alongside many dedicated volunteers, providing much needed food and clothing to residents in Longview and the surrounding area.
In Heaven, Jerry joins his son, Jay Bunt, parents Perry and Media Bunt, sisters Lana Kline, Janette Jones, and her husband B.F, parents-in-law Chris and Gladys Atteberry, and brother-in-law Charles Grimm. He is survived by his wife, Janice, and their sons Jeff and Jody, Jeff’s wife Lori, and their daughters Lauren and Ashley and Ashley’s son, Jaxon, Jody’s wife Elena, and their children Dalton, Alexyss, Addison, and Alex. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Joanne Grimm, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jerry was “one of a kind,” had a wonderful personality and did not take himself too seriously. He was funny, and he was a great storyteller (many of which may have been slightly embellished). Above all, he loved God, his family, and his friends. He leaves us all with an enduring impression in our hearts of love, faithfulness, and compassion.
Thank you to the staff at AccentCare and Pine Tree Lodge for taking such loving care of him in his final days.
A celebration of Jerry’s life will take place on Friday, July 12 at 2:00 PM at Pine Tree Church of Christ in Longview. Prior to the service, the family will be available for visitation starting at 1:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Caring & Sharing Center in Longview. Donations can be accepted online at https://caringandsharingcenter.org/ or via check mailed to Caring & Sharing, 3221 Dundee Road, Longview, TX 75604.
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