Obituary of Joseph Bunch

Lt. Colonel Joseph Jackson Bunch ?Jack? Mr. Bunch, 83, of Charlotte, NC passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2013, at the Carriage Club of Charlotte. Jack was born in Atlanta, Georgia on April 11, 1929, to Christine Lee and Joseph Dupree Bunch. Jack graduated from The Citadel in 1951 and maintained close friendships with several of his classmates over the years. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army, both on active duty and in the Reserves. Jack was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. This period instilled in him a life long love of all things Germanic. After returning home from Germany, he began his professional sales career with the Coca Cola Company and eventually moved on to the lighting profession. During the early stages of his professional career he remained part of the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was employed as a Regional Sales Manager for Philips Lighting when he retired after a long and illustrious career. Once retired, he continued to travel and pursue his varied interests, always enjoying the company of his beloved Joe Dog, his family, and his friends. Jack had strong interests in family ancestry, military history, Braves baseball (which he shared with his eldest grandson), and politics, which dated back to his involvement in the Republican Party of Mecklenburg County during the late 50?s and early 60?s. He remained active in the local Army Retirees Council as his health permitted. Jack cherished the trips he took back to Germany with friends and family over the years, and enjoyed German classes at CPCC where he developed close friendships with several classmates. In addition to his parents, his daughter, Joan Elizabeth, preceded Jack in death. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter Robyn L. Bunch of Charlotte, NC; son Robert D. Bunch and wife, Sherry, of Colorado Springs, CO; three treasured grandchildren: Michael D. Bunch of Charlotte, Christopher S. Bunch and Lauren E. Bunch of Colorado Springs; as well as numerous cousins and other family members. Jack also leaves many dear and close friends whose support and friendship enriched his life and made his journey more precious and fulfilling. The family offers a deep felt thank you to all of his friends, both longtime and more recent. The family would also like to thank his many caregivers, in particular, Berhane, Fatima, Marion and Katherine, for their kindness and support in recent weeks; his physicians; and Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday evening, February 20, 2013, at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service. Graveside service will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, February 21, 2013, in the Fishing Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Washington, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Jack?s name be made to the Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409 or to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.