Alan Wayne Bunch

Alan Bunch, 73, passed away Friday after a life dedicated to following God’s word, exploring the world’s adventures and building a strong and loving family. He was an inseparable partner to his wife, Sue, deriving strength and inspiration from her companionship and devotion. He served as a trusted confidante and rock-solid ally for friends and anyone in need. Family gatherings were his favorite time — and if those family gatherings were at the games of his beloved Tampa Bay Rays, all the better. There was a conventional side to Alan’s life, one that included his graduation from Brandon High School and the University of South Florida.

An accountant by trade, it led to his early career in banking and a two-decade stint as controller at Eckerd College. But Alan was never destined for the corporate world — or the conventional. He owned Corvettes and even displayed them at local sports-car shows, presenting them in immaculate condition and often taking first-place honors. He was devoted to his all-time performance idol, Elvis Presley, and at one time owned each of the King’s albums and 45s (in all languages) that provided the backdrop at his Elvis-themed parties. Wanting his children to have holiday memories, he concocted one of the Tampa Bay area’s most elaborate Christmas light displays (100,000 flashing bulbs in all, making for a hefty electric bill). It drew a long procession of curiosity-seeking cars that clogged the circular driveway and the neighborhood streets. But one of his hobbies changed the trajectory of his life. In 1989, during a visit to Hawaii, Alan had his first whiff of plumeria, the fragrant tropical plant. He became enamored and began growing plumeria as a pastime. It grew into his livelihood and he founded the Exotic Plumeria, a nursery that became internationally known.

Alan educated himself and became one of the world’s foremost plumeria experts, while designing elaborate landscaping projects used by homes and corporations. On his property, he built a stage that was used for authentic Hawaiian luaus for wedding receptions, ceremonies and corporate outings. Through all of this, Alan came to believe he had Hawaiian blood and visited the islands dozens of times for work and pleasure. In the Tampa Bay area, he never met a sunset he didn’t like and treasured the relaxing beach time with family and friends. Alan was a technology whiz, always the first person anyone knew to possess the latest and greatest tools, whether it was a VCR, camcorder, satellite dish or big-screen television. Regardless of his day-to-day tasks or colorful sidelights, there was never a doubt that he lived each day according to the highest moral, ethical and Christian standards. His word was his bond. He derived pleasure from using his talents and wise judgement to help others. In this case, Aloha means goodbye, but not goodbye forever. His legacy lives on. The acts of kindness he showed to family, friends and even strangers will serve as an example of how to live a Godly life.

Now, from his heavenly perch, he will root on the Rays toward another run to the World Series. Alan, a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Seffner, is survived by Sue, the love of his life, his wife of 48 years; daughter Lisa Tisdel (Derek) of Bozeman, Montana; and son Brian Bunch (Andrea) of Petaluma, California; sister Ginger Sampson and brother-in-law Hugh Sampson; brother-in-law Jim McKay of Natchez, Mississippi; and grandchildren Ty, Connor and Landon Tisdel and Collin and Beckett Bunch. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Ruby Bunch, and his sister, Sandy McKay. A visitation will be held Sunday, October 10, from 2-5 pm, at Hillsboro Memorial. The Funeral will take place Monday, October 11, at First United Methodist of Seffner, at 3:00 pm..

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsboroMemorial.com for the Bunch family.