Obituary of Clarence Donald Bunn

Clarence Donald Bunn, aged 88, passed away at Vidant Health Palliative Care in Greenville, North Carolina, on Wednesday, August 29. Born on July 10, 1930, in Wayne County, North Carolina, to Clarence and Zora Bunn of the Nahunta Community, Donald graduated from Nahunta School; and North Carolina State University in Raleigh with a B.S. in agricultural education and a masters degree in adult and community college education. Donald served one year with the Agricultural Extension Service in Beaufort County before transferring to Swain County in 1962. Prior to that, he was self-employed at Nahunta Grocery for two years and a teacher with the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Cherokee for four years. He was an Army lieutenant during the Korean War and later obtained the rank of captain in the North Carolina National Guard. Donald served as a Swain County Commissioner, general chairman of the Swain County Centennial Committee, a member of the Swain County Bicentennial Committee, chairman of the Citizens Committee of Swain County Schools, a member of the County Housing Authority, and a member of the County Solid Waste Committee. He was also active at First Baptist Church, Bryson City, where he served as Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher, and deacon. Donald joined the Swain County Agricultural Extension staff in 1962, serving as a 4-H agent before becoming county extension chairman in 1976, a position he filled until his retirement. Following both their retirements, Donald and wife Suzanne traveled extensively throughout the world from 1988 through 2008, visiting in 48 different countries. Donald will be fondly remembered for his green thumb, his golf handicap, and his having taught so many people to water ski on Fontana Lake. Preceding him in death were his wife of 60 years Suzanne Davis Bunn, his sons William Alexander Bunn (Bill) and Michael Carr Bunn (Mickey), his parents Clarence and Zora Bunn, and his brother Joe Millard Bunn and sister Bettie Bunn Talton Lynch. He is survived by his sister Shelba Bunn Buchanan and brother David Buster Bunn, both of the Nahunta community, and many nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate Donald's life will be held at Bryson City First Baptist Church in Bryson City, NC 28713, on Sunday, September 9, at 3:00 o'clock. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service. Interment will follow the service in Swain Memorial Park, Deep Creek Valley, Swain County, NC. Arrangements will be handled by Crisp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Cypress Glen Benevolent Care Fund, 100 Hickory Street, Greenville, NC 27858 or Scholarship Fund, First Baptist Church of Bryson City, P.O. Box 247, Bryson City, NC 28713.