Memorial services for James J. (Jim) Bunch, age 85, of Crawford, NE will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at the Congregational Church in Crawford with Pastor Trey Brennan officiating. There will be no burial.

 

A memorial has been established for the Crawford Fire Department and Rescue Unit or the Ponderosa Villa. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.

 

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

 

Jim passed away on August 22, 2015 at the Ponderosa Villa in Crawford. He was born June 8, 1930 to Harvey & Elsie (Thompson) Bunch of rural Crawford. Jim grew up at the foot of Crow Butte, riding his horse to grade school and high school. He completed 8^th grade at Pleasant View, District #1 and graduated from Crawford High School in 1947. He was accepted at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, but chose not to go because he knew he wanted to farm and ranch by the age of 4.

 

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Alyce Muthart, in August of 1949. They lived in various places until buying the old Cross place just north of his dad’s place in 1962, and moved to the home place at the foot of Crow Butte in 1985 after his parents died. Early in their marriage, Jim worked at the Hoffman Chevrolet garage as a parts man in the winters, at Crawford Livestock working the Monday cattle sales, and only one Friday sheep sale after he came home and was informed by his girls that he smelled like a sheep! Jim was on the ASCS committee for many years, where he measured wheat acres across a wide range of northwest Nebraska. 

 

Jim and Alyce raised two daughters, Debby and Vicki, as well as good Angus calves, wheat, and hay. They were good stewards of the land and enjoyed helping their neighbors, especially when they all got together to haul cattle.

 

A heart attack forced Jim to retire, so they sold their place and spent a few winters as snow birds playing in Sun City, AZ. They became year-round citizens until 2008 when they moved home to Nebraska. 

 

Jim was a member of the Panhandle Boat Club, Elks Club, and Eagles Club. He served on the Crawford Hospital Board, Rodeo Board, and was a founding member of the Crawford Golf Board. Jim helped build some of the original buildings on the golf course and, on opening day on 1992, he was the first golfer to tee off on #1.

 

Jim was a community-minded man. He enjoyed running the down-marker at home football games for many years. He was always happy to help a friend or a stranger, unless that poor person happened to be from the Forest Service or Games & Parks Commission! Jim was a good man who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. People always knew where they stood with Jim Bunch; there were no gray areas for him. His best advice was, “Do what you’re supposed to, when you’re supposed to do it.” His daughters learned that at an early age!

 

Jim said he had had a good life and was ready to start “my next big adventure.” Celebrating Jim’s life and wishing him Godspeed are Alyce, his wife of 66 years; daughters Debby (Butch) Hanlon and Vicki (Jake) Wasserburger; sisters Jean Reed of Idaho and Joni Teets of California; 5 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

 

Chamberlain Chapel is in charge of arrangements for James J. (Jim) Bunch.