Beuford Maurice Bunnell

Beuford (Beau) Maurice Bunnell passed away on August 21, 2021, at the age of 91. He was surrounded by his wife, Sharon, and son, Eric, at Sky Ridge Hospital when he passed.

Beuford was born on September 28, 1929, in Valparaiso, Indiana, to Maurice L Bunnell and Sarah Philena (Underwood) Bunnell. Beuford married Sharon Louise Peterson on June 15, 1963, in Kankakee, IL. He attended and graduated Hobart High School in Hobart, Indiana. Beuford graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1951 and after his discharge from the Marines he went back for his Masters in Chemical Engineering. Beuford was in the U.S. Marine Corps beginning in1951 and he was honorably discharged in 1953 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Beuford completed boot camp at Camp Pendleton and while enlisted he completed Electronics School, Radio Repairman’s School, and was stationed in Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA.

After his time at Purdue, Beuford worked for Stepan Chemical in Joliet, IL, Victor Chemical in Chicago Heights, IL, American Potash and Chemical Company in West Chicago, IL, and Morton Chemical in Chicago, IL. He then worked for Barber Greene in the 1960’s in Aurora, IL and transferred to their subsidiary, Mine and Smelter Corporation in 1977 in Denver, CO, moving the family to Littleton, CO, at that time. He received an MBA from the University of Denver in the early 1980’s. He also received a degree in Marriage Counseling from Metro State University. Beuford was a freelance marriage counselor in the mid 1980’s. He “semi-retired” as a security guard at APG, Pinkerton, and Securitas from 1986 until 2015 when he fully retired.

Beuford was a boy scout when he was growing up and ran cross country in high school. He loved music and played the coronet and the trumpet. He was a member of the marching band in both high school and college. He was also a member of a jazz band in college. He loved dancing, with ballroom being his favorite, and participated in many recitals in both IL and CO. He loved to read and had a large collection of books and was a frequent visitor at the library. He enjoyed running and aerobics and spent a lot of time at the gym working out and taking classes. He and his wife loved animals and had 4 dogs and many cats throughout their marriage, many of the cats were rescues. Beuford was a hard-working, well studied, empathetic, follower of Christ.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sharon (Peterson) Bunnell of Centennial, Colorado. His son, Eric Peterson Bunnell, daughter-in-law Carrie Alyson-Duncan Bunnell, and three grandchildren; Duncan Peterson Bunnell, John Clark Bunnell, and Ellianna Louise Bunnell, all from Castle Rock Colorado. As well as his Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law Richard and Patricia Gerardi and nephew Paul Gerardi of Illinois. He is also survived by a nephew Bob Stephan and niece Sue and Dan Newton and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents Maurice L Bunnell and Sarah Philena Bunnell, his sister Patricia (Bunnell) Stephan and brother-in-law Carl Stephan, and his sister-in-law Ardis Peterson.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to be made to Colorado Christian Services, https://christianservices.org/donate; and the Littleton Church of Christ Food Bank, https://www.littletonchrch.org/missions-local .

Beuford was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and in the words of his youngest grandson, John, “he will be greatly missed”.