Rev. Carl Bunch

The Reverend John Carl Bunch, 100, of Jonesboro, AR passed away Sunday, August 7, 2016 in a local healthcare facility. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 69 years, Alice Emma Bunch, in 2008, and his son, Marion “Marty” Bunch in 2016.

Brother Bunch was born April 15, 1916 on his family’s farm in South Arkansas. His early life was spent working in agriculture, and he maintained a portion of his family land as a timber farm until his passing. At the age of 26 he gave up his role as a farmer and began preparing for vocational ministry.

In 1949, Bro. Bunch became Director of Missions of Mt. Zion Baptist Association in Craighead County. With the exception of the years of 1951-1955, he remained Mt. Zion’s Director of Missions for 28 years. He was passionate about local church missions. He served on the Executive Board of Directors for the Arkansas Baptist Convention, on the Southern Baptist Ten-Year Planning Commission and the Board of Directors of Williams Baptist College.

As Director of Missions, he set out to develop the Mt. Zion Baptist Camp near Walcott State Park. His passion for and support of Mt. Zion Camp remained one of his greatest passions for the remainder of his life. Bro. Bunch retired from leadership in northeast Arkansas in 1982. In 1984, after relocating to Mt. Ida, he assumed the part-time position of Associational Director of Missions for the Caddo Baptist Association, a position he held for another 12 years. They returned to Jonesboro in the fall of 1997.

Bro. Bunch is survived by his children: Maurine Freeze of Little Rock, Johnny Bunch (Chris) of Jonesboro, Jo Ann Matthews (Frank) of McAlpin, FL, Lewis Bunch (Libby) of Little Rock, Jackie Reams (Ronnie) of Malden, MO, and daughter-in-law Kay Bunch of Lake City. Carrying his legacy of faith and family are his 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 10 at 5:00 until 7:00 pm at Emerson Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be Thursday, August 11, at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, with Todd Bunch officiating. A private burial will precede the service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Camp, c/o Mt. Zion Baptist Association, 2460 Sunny Meadow Dr., Jonesboro, AR 72401