Obituary for Bobby Gene Bunce
Bobby "Bob" Gene Bunce was born April 23, 1931 in Redland, Oklahoma to Lillie Etta and Glenn Gilman Bunce. His younger years were spent in the home of his birth above the combination post office, general store, and gas station that they owned and where his mother served as postmistress. The family moved to Muskogee, OK in 1936 where Bobby spent his grade school years and his youth. He graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1949. Their residence was in the country across the road from the Muskogee Golf and Country Club. He began caddying for many golfers which led to his lifetime enjoyment of golf.
He married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Barbara Joann Capps in 1950. Bob and Barbara’s 70 year marriage was a love story to behold. Their two daughters, Cathryn and Marsha, completed their lives. At the center of everything was their faith in God and their participation in several Methodist churches. Bob and Barbara have been faithful members of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church since 1977. Bob's family meant everything to him: family trips, adventures, and holidays were filled with fun, love and joy.
Bob was a patriot. He loved his country and knew what a blessing it was to be able to pursue his hopes and dreams. In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served four years, stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Returning to Muskogee, he resumed his early career in the mailroom of Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company, hand delivering monthly bills to customers. In 1956, he was promoted to the OG&E corporate headquarters in Oklahoma City where he also obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting at Oklahoma City University. His talent, hard work and enthusiasm for OG&E and its mission led to his steady advancement, culminating in his position as Senior Vice President. The many friends that he made throughout his 45-year career remained a treasured part of his life. Bob also served in numerous civic and nonprofit organizations and on their board of directors.
After retirement in 1994 Bob and Barbara spent many years playing golf together at Quail Creek Golf and Country Club. They belonged to the Putnam City Travel Club travelling throughout the United States and internationally. The Mayfair Dance Club offered many delightful evenings of fellowship. The enjoyment of being with family and friends brought them much happiness.
Bob's love of people and engaging personality brightened a room. Following in Will Rogers' footsteps, Bob never met a person he did not like. He brought a unique spark of life to all who knew him.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; his devoted daughters, Cathryn DeSpain of Owasso, OK and Marsha Sharp and her husband Jeffery of State College, PA; his sister, Ann Bartlett of Sapulpa, OK; his beloved grandchildren, Paul DeSpain and his wife Athena, Sarah DeSpain, Natalie Bailey, Andrew Sharp and his wife Bridgid, and Rebekah Sharp. Completing the family are his eleven great-grandchildren: Abigail, Benjamin, Levi, Naomi, and Judah DeSpain; James, Luna, and Paxton Bailey; Colette, Ambrose, and Mary Clare Sharp; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 22 at Resurrection Cemetery.
For those who desire, memorials may be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 2727 W. Hefner Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120 or Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, www.omrf.org
The family is thankful for the life we shared and the precious memories we have had with our beloved GrandBob. All of our lives are better because his path crossed ours. We thank you for your thoughts, love, and prayers during our time of remembrance and for your part in honoring a life well lived.
He married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Barbara Joann Capps in 1950. Bob and Barbara’s 70 year marriage was a love story to behold. Their two daughters, Cathryn and Marsha, completed their lives. At the center of everything was their faith in God and their participation in several Methodist churches. Bob and Barbara have been faithful members of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church since 1977. Bob's family meant everything to him: family trips, adventures, and holidays were filled with fun, love and joy.
Bob was a patriot. He loved his country and knew what a blessing it was to be able to pursue his hopes and dreams. In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served four years, stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Returning to Muskogee, he resumed his early career in the mailroom of Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company, hand delivering monthly bills to customers. In 1956, he was promoted to the OG&E corporate headquarters in Oklahoma City where he also obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting at Oklahoma City University. His talent, hard work and enthusiasm for OG&E and its mission led to his steady advancement, culminating in his position as Senior Vice President. The many friends that he made throughout his 45-year career remained a treasured part of his life. Bob also served in numerous civic and nonprofit organizations and on their board of directors.
After retirement in 1994 Bob and Barbara spent many years playing golf together at Quail Creek Golf and Country Club. They belonged to the Putnam City Travel Club travelling throughout the United States and internationally. The Mayfair Dance Club offered many delightful evenings of fellowship. The enjoyment of being with family and friends brought them much happiness.
Bob's love of people and engaging personality brightened a room. Following in Will Rogers' footsteps, Bob never met a person he did not like. He brought a unique spark of life to all who knew him.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; his devoted daughters, Cathryn DeSpain of Owasso, OK and Marsha Sharp and her husband Jeffery of State College, PA; his sister, Ann Bartlett of Sapulpa, OK; his beloved grandchildren, Paul DeSpain and his wife Athena, Sarah DeSpain, Natalie Bailey, Andrew Sharp and his wife Bridgid, and Rebekah Sharp. Completing the family are his eleven great-grandchildren: Abigail, Benjamin, Levi, Naomi, and Judah DeSpain; James, Luna, and Paxton Bailey; Colette, Ambrose, and Mary Clare Sharp; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 22 at Resurrection Cemetery.
For those who desire, memorials may be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 2727 W. Hefner Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120 or Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, www.omrf.org
The family is thankful for the life we shared and the precious memories we have had with our beloved GrandBob. All of our lives are better because his path crossed ours. We thank you for your thoughts, love, and prayers during our time of remembrance and for your part in honoring a life well lived.