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Boyd Lamond Bunker

Boyd Lamond Bunker
Date of Birth:
May 23, 1925
Date Deceased:
January 15, 2021
Funeral Services
Location:
Delta City Cemetery
400 East 750 North
Date and Time:
January 23, 2021
Saturday: 11:00 AM

Viewing:

Burial with Military Rites in the Delta City Cemetery.

Funeral Service Recording Link: https://youtu.be/7rqGEuYUIRs

Boyd Lamond Bunker

BoydBunker2.web

Boyd Lamond Bunker, age 95, passed away on Friday, January 15, 2021 in Sutherland, Utah. Born on May 23, 1925 to Clifton Lamond Bunker and Zola Woodbury Bunker, Boyd was the oldest of their 6 children. After the bombing at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Boyd was determined to defend his beloved country.  He had earned enough credits to graduate early from Delta High School in the Spring of 1942. So, at the age of 17, he entered Navy boot camp. His Navy years were spent in the North Pacific, Atlantic and South Pacific on the U.S.S. Piedmont, a Destroyer Tender, though the duration of World War II.  He described one of his jobs as inspecting the torpedo tubes for damage after use.  “They chose me ‘cuz I was the smallest. Stripped me down, greased me up, and tied a rope to my ankle.  Went in head first. They pulled me out when I reached the other end.”  The U.S.S. Piedmont was present in Tokyo Bay when Japan signed the official Instrument of Surrender. He was proud of being there. He received an Honorable Discharge on February  21, 1946, and received the following medals: Asiatic Pacific, American Area, Victory, Philippine Liberation, Points.

After the War, he returned to Millard County, UT, where he worked at the beryllium mine as a mine mill sampler; then spent a short stint working on the railroad. After that, he worked for over 30 years in security at the Intermountain Power Service Corporation. But most of all, he was A Farmer. He once told me he would die a happy man if he was out on the farm when it happened. He LOVED farming! He first farmed on 40 acres in Deseret. He took over the farming of Bunker Farm in 1955 after his grandfather died, and farmed both until the early 1960s, when he returned to live at the Bunker Farm in Sutherland.  He joined the American Legion Post #135 when he returned from The War, and served as Commander, Sergeant at Arms, and Bugler. He cared deeply for his fellow military brothers and sisters and was proud to serve this country that he loved so much. From 1946 thru 2018 he never missed a Memorial Day or 4th of July celebration; after that it was only failing health that kept him away. He was an avid story teller (just ask anyone, and you will hear one of their favorites); had years of fun calling square dances all over Millard County; and loved both people and animals . . . except for a certain Shetland Pony, that one . . . not so much!

On March 31, 1948 he married Lenora Ann Broderick. Together they raised 3 children: Kenneth Boyd,  Pamela, Bruce Lamond. In later years, they chose to travel separate paths. Eventually his eye was allured by Florence Kinsey Purcell. Her daughter relates, “When he showed up at Mom’s with donuts and freshly picked asparagus, I started investigating him. Everyone said he was the best man out there. They were right.” At age 69, Boyd married Florence on November 9, 1990 in the Manti LDS Temple, and set about raising 4 more kids. They agree, when he married their Mom and moved them out to The Farm, that he changed the course of their lives for the BEST! He always said there were no step-relations in his family; we have always been his children. Boyd definitely meets the requirements for A Great Man!

THOSE WHO LEFT HERE AHEAD OF HIM: His parents, 2 brothers: Keith and Don Bunker;  Lenora Ann Bunker, first wife; Roy Solari Purcell, son; Ella Taana Purcell, daughter.

THOSE OF US STILL WAITING OUR TURN: Florence Kinsey Bunker, wife;  Reed Charles Bunker, brother;  Julene Cottle Hall and Bonnie Rae Nielson, sisters.  Children: Kenneth Boyd Bunker, Pamela Bunker Olsen, Bruce Lamond Bunker, Cýntea Purcell Anderson, Ramiel Purcell Christensen, Rischele Purcell Forthoffer, Loren Clifford Purcell, Saronna Purcell Clark, Kasyn Benjamin Purcell; also 29.5 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

He came into this life in a simple farm house. He left this life in that very same room. He was a man of the earth. The best West Desert Dude ever. We will miss you. Happy farming on Heaven’s South 40!

Graveside Services with Military Rites will be held on Saturday, January 23, at 11:00 am, at the Delta City Cemetery. Friends are invited to view the recording of the service at: https://youtu.be/7rqGEuYUIRs. In lieu of flowers, his family encourages donations to the American Legion Post #135, an organization he deeply appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.nicklemortuary.com

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