James A. Bunker

James Adam Bunker was born June 25, 1924 at Montrose, Iowa, the eldest child of Isaac Johnson (Jake) and Martha Ellen (Value) Bunker. He passed away suddenly, after a brief illness on February 4, 2013 in Lincoln, NE. He was 88 years, 7 months, 10 days old. Jim attended grade school at Alexandria, MO and Vincennes, IA. He graduated from Argyle, IA high school in 1942. He worked on the farms where his dad was employed and was a busboy at Bishop’s Cafeteria before enlisting in the US Air Force on October 28,1943. His basic training was Amarillo, TX, being transferred to Pocotella, ID and finally to Bruning, NE. He was the new baseball catcher on the base team when he caught the eye of a local girl. He and Dorothy Ruby Koca were married December 2, 1944 at the base chapel. To their union 3 children were born: Letitia Angeline, Dorian James, and Delwynne Jay (stillborn). Jim reported to Dalhart, TX before his overseas departure on May 22, 1945. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater with the 507th Fighter Group, 463rd Fighter Squadron, primarily on the island of Ieshima. After Japan’s surrender he returned state side and was honorably discharged on April 8, 1946. He belonged to the Geneva, NE VFW Post # 7102 and the Milligan, NE American Legion HSSK Post # 240. In typical Czech fashion Jim and Dorothy enjoyed dancing. Once Jim learned to waltz and polka, they made a very handsome couple on the dance floor. The song “Waltz Across Texas” was a favorite. Jim and Dorothy farmed in the Milligan/Friend area getting started with help from Louis Koca, Jim’s father-in-law. In 1955 they struck out on their own and moved to an irrigated farm southeast of Roseland, NE. They worked side by side planting, tending and harvesting crops, cattle and hogs. Jim’s pride was his registered herd of black Angus cattle. When he had to disperse his herd, he couldn’t bring himself to attend the sale, choosing instead to say ”goodbye” as they were trucked off the yard. After he quit farming, Jim worked for Mid-Rivers Grain Elevator in Roseland. In 1976 he and Dorothy moved back to Milligan where they owned and operated Bunker’s Inn Restaurant & Lounge. Son Dorian joined them in 1985 and ultimately purchased the restaurant upon Jim’s retirement. Ever a tender of the land, Jim began putting in a huge garden. He would patiently plot out his plants on a graph of paper and the transfer it all onto his garden plot. There were tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, maybe a zucchini or some onions, all grown just to share with others. His greatest joy of gardening was sharing it with family and friends. Jim and Dorothy loved to support their grandchildren’s events and activities. They spent much of their retirement travelling to those events. Jim loved Cubs baseball and was an avid horserace fan. He didn’t always bet, but he studied that program thoroughly for every race. After Dorothy’s stroke in 2006, he became her primary caregiver—cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, and managing her medication and doctor appointments. After her death in 2010, he remained in the family home firmly independent. He made sure he stayed involved and in contact with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He made sure that Reed and Rhett had an abundant supply of Grandpa Jim’s cookies (graham crackers and frosting) and enjoyed playing Santa with them as his elf helpers. He was a loving, caring example to family and friends. Proud yet humble. Generous, sometimes to a fault, but always encouraging and upbeat. He always saw his glass half full, never half empty. He always said ,”Leave the world better than you found it” He did just that. He will be sorely missed by this community and his friends, but mostly by the family who has lost the “rock” on which we all leaned. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Dorothy; infant son, Delwynne; his parents; one sister, Wanda; one step-grandson, Luke Jarosik; one step-great granddaughter, Riley Hinrichs. He leaves to mourn his daughter Letitia (Tish) and Dale Naprstek; his son, Dorian and Connie Bunker; brothers, Carl and Shirley Bunker and Ivan Bunker & Lois White; his sister, Delores Kinkaede and Albert Ewalt; sister-in-law, Angeline (Koca) Brunkow. Also survived by grand children Adam & Katie Bunker, Dawn and Rick McFadden, Dori Ann Bunker, Tylr and Sabrina Naprstek. Step-grandchildren: Ed Jarosik, Tonia & Kip Hinrichs, Tiffany, Jennifer, Darren Jarosik. Great grandsons: Reed and Rhett McFadden. Step-great grandchildren: Cameron Jarosik, Rachel and Micah Hinrichs, Dakota Jubb. Memorial services for Jim were held on Friday, February 8, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Farmer & Son Funeral Home – Kotas Chapel in Milligan. Karla Sheffy officiated the services. Deb Brunkow accompanied the congregation in the singing of “In The Garden.” Honorary Pallbearers for the service included Jim’s Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren and the Men of the “Smart” table at morning coffee. Graveside inurnment was held in the Bohemian National Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the Milligan American Legion HSSK Post 240. Memorials are directed to the Milligan American Legion.

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James A. Bunker

June 25, 1924 - February 4, 2013