Thomas Burton Bunnell
Thomas Burton Bunnell passed from this life to be with his Lord on Monday, April 4, 2011, at the age of 96. Tom was born in Paradise, Texas, on Feb. 28, 1915, to Edwin Eugene and Josie Bunnell. Tom enlisted in the United States Army and served his country in the South Pacific during WWII, as well as serving in the Army Reserves until 1975, retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
Tom met and married Josephine Steger in 1946 and graduated from Texas Tech University in 1949. He worked as the County Agent for Bee and Karnes Counties, and then worked for many years as an Agricultural Economist with the Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior, in Austin until his retirement. His work centered on long-range planning of water use resources and conservation projects for Texas. Tom and Josephine had two children, Josephine (“Jodie”) and Thomas, Jr., both of Lockhart.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 60 years, Josephine Steger Bunnell; and his granddaughter, Alison Friedrich Berry. He is also preceded in death by his brothers, Herman Bunnell and J. E. Bunnell, and his sisters, Estella McPherson, Ada Davis and Ida Harlan.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Jodie Friedrich and husband, Byron, of Lockhart, and Tom Bunnell, Jr., of Lockhart. He is also survived by grandchildren, Byron Thomas Friedrich, of Austin, Joni Friedrich Elder and husband, Danny, of Oxford, England, and Chris Berry, of San Antonio.
Tom was an active member of First Lockhart Baptist Church as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Masonic Lodge. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend to so many. He will be missed for his smile and generous nature.
Visitation will be at McCurdy Funeral Home in Lockhart on Thursday, April 7, from 5 – 8 p.m., with service at First Lockhart Baptist Church on Friday, April 8 at 10 a.m. Internment will follow at Memory Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to First Lockhart Baptist Church.
Arrangements under the care and guidance of McCurdy Funeral Home, 105 E. Pecan St., Lockhart, Texas 78644. Obituary and guest book online at www.mccurdyfuneralhome.com.
