James E. Bunch

James E. (Jim) Bunch passed away peacefully at home on December 22,2023 with Lucerne, his loving wife, and family members by his side. Knowingly and purposefully, Jim shared memories and messages with his three daughters and their children during the last weeks of his life.

Born on October 11,1941 in Kansas City, Kansas, Jim’s early years were abundant with unconditional love and support from his grandparents Henry and Veronica (Granny) Dechant and his mother Catherine. Jim loved to share tales of his childhood, like riding his bicycle through downtown Kansas City to meet his mother and accompany her home after work. Later, Catherine remarried Edward Bunch who adopted Jim and his happy youth continued.

Jim’s attendance at Pittsburgh State University produced lifelong friendships through Sigma Chi fraternity and it was on this campus that his romance began with Lucerne Pauline Snyder. Jim and Lucerne were married on May 23,1964. Together, they raised three beautiful and accomplished daughters and shared their love and wisdom with their six grandchildren.

After brief stints as a public-school teacher and then as a sales representative for Marion Laboratories, Jim started a long and distinguished career with Merck. During his 25 years in increasingly senior leadership roles, Jim and his family enjoyed living in California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Washington, and Arizona. Jim’s penchant for developing talent served Merck and him well, leading to the creation of his own training and management development company, Pantheon Partners Inc, upon his retirement from Merck.

Jim and Lucerne shared many international adventures, visiting far away and exotic places such as Phuket, Thailand when no one there yet spoke English. Jim was always game for a trip, particularly if there might be an opportunity to snorkel. He also managed to steal time away for golf, a sport he continued to play when he and Lucerne moved to Austin, Texas in 2005. Jim always found time to indulge in and encourage the interests of his grandchildren who affectionately called him “Papa”.

Unabashedly patriotic, Jim appreciated and honored US veterans and their families. In recent years, he took to wearing an American flag lapel pin every day to remind himself and others of this sacrifice. Many who shared his feelings for the country would receive their own flag pin from Jim.

A lifelong Catholic, Jim also gave great support to Catholic education and the St. Vincent De Paul Society. Also, his calling for mentoring friends and family in personal and professional matters continued well into his retirement. Everyone came to Jim for resume help! For those lucky beneficiaries of Jim’s famous emails, he imparted wisdom, political views, important vintage photos and his characteristic humor.

In later years, Jim could be found chatting with neighbors as he walked his prized standard poodles- Tiffany Joy to the Bunch I, II and III.

Survived by Lucerne, his wife of 59+ years, daughters Michelle Marie Johnson, Stephanie Lynn Dussling, and Cindy Ann Belanger and grandchildren Thomas James Belanger, Sinjun James Johnson, Clare Marie Nancy Belanger, Katherine Lucerne Dussling, Maria Jane Lucy Belanger, and Jetta Fayrene Johnson.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church on January 9, 2024 at 10AM. Reception will follow in Morris Hall.

St. John Neumann Catholic Church

5455 Bee Cave Road

Austin, TX 78746

(512) 328-3220

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Honor Flight (https://honorflightaustin.org/donate/) or Poodle Patch Rescue (https://poodlepatchrescue.com/donate/)