He was born in Flint, Michigan in 1929 to Harold and Ruby Bunker. He grew up in Bear Lake, Michigan to the son of a restauranteur. He spoke often of the wonderful childhood he had, including the time he swam all the way across Bear Lake.
At 18 years old, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army Airborne, where he proudly served his country during the Korean War. He was a paratrooper during his 4 years in the US Army, and honorably discharged.
Upon returning home to Michigan, he and his family settled in Grand Rapids where he went to work for the US Postal Service (USPS). After about 5 years there, he was presented with a new opportunity in Southern California. They packed up everything they had and headed west to pursue work as a carpenter working in the fast‐paced home building market.
Not long after moving to Pomona, he decided the construction world was not for him after all. He re‐joined the USPS in 1965, utilizing his prior experience back in Michigan, to get the position he wanted. He was very happy with his career there and spent more than 25 years working in various positions until he retired in 1990.
Don and Goldie met at the Pomona Post Office team in 1965. They became close friends, and ultimately married in Las Vegas in 1970. They enjoyed a wonderful 50+ year marriage, full of love and happiness, spending time with his blended family of six children. All the children grew up in the same town, and attended the same schools from elementary school, through high school.
Don loved and was active in sports his entire life, particularly baseball. If he was not playing ball, he was an avid spectator. From watching his kids play ball, or watching the Angels and Dodgers, he really loved baseball. His kids all remember him watching sports on TV, when he was not on the golf course, bowling, or playing softball with his friends.
In 1995, Don and Goldie moved to the Northern California town of Yuba City, where their daughter Georgia and her family resided. Don continued to play softball well into his 70’s with the local 55+ senior softball league. An avid bowler during his adult life, Goldie also shared the passion, and regularly competed on weekly bowling league and annual tournaments. They often found themselves on the winning team, making many lifelong friends.
He loved to travel, and they did quite a bit during their life, including trips across the country to visit family in Michigan, Iowa, and Florida. They also went on a cruise one year, drove down to Mexico another year, and drove up to Canada on another trip. Traveling around Europe was another dream they accomplished. In 1980, they had the most wonderful time traveling about Germany, France, Switzerland, and several other countries in the area, with Georgia and husband Jim, who was stationed at Zweibrucken AFB, West Germany.
In 2009, Don and Goldie again relocated, this time to Henderson, Nevada where son Steven and his family resided. As if part of the plan, the house directly across the street from Steve, and his wife Caron, became available and was swiftly purchased for them to call home. With five more great‐grandchildren added, he was again surrounded by family. He enjoyed the family gatherings, for special events and barbeques. He was especially happy when his daughter Dona, granddaughter Whitney, and very close family friends David and Sherry Mueller came to visit.
Don enjoyed attending services at The Crossing, A Christian Church in Las Vegas; a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW); and a member of the American Legion, Henderson Chapter; he remained very patriotic throughout his life.
Don is survived by his wife Goldie; Daughters Dona Bunker Brown, Georgia (Jim) McLean, and Suzanne Bunker; Sons Dennis (Diane) Bunker and Steven (Caron) Richardson; his third son Donald preceded his father in passing. He is also survived by several Grandchildren and Great‐Grandchildren.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
In lieu of flowers, or attendance to the services, the family is requesting that donations be made in his name, to the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
A private memorial service will be held October 8, 2020 at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Dr., Boulder City, Nevada.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18