[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 114 (Monday, July 30, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5654-S5655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING REPRESENTATIVE DEWAYNE BUNCH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, with sadness I rise today to mark the 
passing on July 11, 2012, of former Kentucky State Representative 
Dewayne Bunch. As a teacher and State representative, Dewayne served 
the people of the Commonwealth, especially those in Whitley and Laurel 
Counties, with distinction. He also proudly served our country in Iraq 
as a member of the Kentucky National Guard. Elaine and I send our 
condolences to his wife Regina, his family, his many friends, and all 
those at Whitley County High School who knew and loved him.
  A Corbin resident, Representative Bunch died at age 50. He is 
survived by his wife Representative Regina Bunch, and he was the father 
of three daughters. Though his life was cut short, it was characterized 
by a dedication to serving others in his community, State, and country. 
Representative

[[Page S5655]]

Bunch was a member of the Kentucky National Guard for 23 years, where 
he notably led the Mountain Warriors in Iraq as a first sergeant.
  Although he valiantly represented his Nation and State abroad, 
Representative Bunch also did much of his work from within the 
community. He was a math and science teacher at Whitley County High 
School for 17 years, and in 2010, with the support of the citizens of 
the 82nd District, was elected State Representative. However, after an 
injury in 2011, Bunch resigned from his post to receive medical 
treatment. His wife Regina ran for the position and succeeded her 
husband as the 82nd District's representative.
  The loss of Representative Bunch to the members of the Whitley County 
community is immeasurable, and Dewayne's death has saddened Kentuckians 
across the State. Members of the State House Republican Caucus said he 
was committed to serving the public and ran for elected office in order 
to more fully serve the people of the Corbin community. The Governor of 
the State of Kentucky, Steve Beshear, acknowledged the loss of 
Representative Bunch by ordering flags lowered to half-staff.
  Hundreds of people came to pay their respects at Representative 
Bunch's funeral on July 15, held at Highland Park Cemetery in 
Williamsburg. Military graveside honors were conducted by the Kentucky 
National Guard. At the funeral, Representative Bunch was posthumously 
awarded the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal to commemorate his 
work on behalf of his community and the State of Kentucky. I am 
privileged today to recognize Representative Bunch and his legacy of 
service to the Commonwealth.
  Madam President, at this time I ask my colleagues in the U.S. Senate 
to join me in honoring the life of Representative Dewayne Bunch of 
Corbin, KY. The Croley Funeral Home has published an obituary that 
highlighted his achievements and pays tribute to those Representative 
Bunch leaves behind. I ask unanimous consent that said article be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             [From the Croley Funeral Home, July 12, 2012]

                         Dewayne Everett Bunch

       Dewayne Everett Bunch of Old Corbin Pike, Williamsburg, 
     Kentucky, departed this life on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at 
     the Oak Tree Hospital in Corbin, Kentucky. He was 50 years, 4 
     months, and 20 days of age. He was born on February 22, 1962, 
     in Whitley County, Kentucky, to Charles Everett Bunch and the 
     late Gloria Eunice (Rains) Bunch. He was a member of Highland 
     Park Baptist Church. Dewayne was a veteran of the United 
     States Army and retired from the Kentucky National Guard 
     after 24 years of service. He was a member of the Kentucky 
     House of Representatives (82nd District) and a schoolteacher 
     at the Whitley County Schools for over 17 years.
       He is survived by wife Regina Petrey Bunch of Williamsburg, 
     Kentucky; three daughters, Stephanie Fox (Brad) of Lexington, 
     Kentucky, Kristen Bowlin (Tommy), and Brittany Morgan 
     (Jeremiah) all of Williamsburg, Kentucky; two grandchildren, 
     Miah Morgan and Thomas Blake Bowlin; his father, Charles 
     Everett Bunch of Williamsburg, Kentucky; a sister, Shanda 
     Weddle (Bruce) of Williamsburg, Kentucky; brothers, Tim Bunch 
     (Lisa) and Jim Bunch, all of Williamsburg, Kentucky; his 
     father and mother-in-law, Herbert and Teresa Petrey of 
     Williamsburg, Kentucky; several nieces and nephews; and a 
     host of other relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
       Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until the funeral hour 
     on Sunday, July 15, 2012, at Croley Funeral Home.
       The Funeral Service will be at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, July 15, 
     2012, at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Doyle 
     Lester and Rev. Gerald Mullins officiating. A Masonic Service 
     will be conducted at 4:00 P.M. by the Williamsburg Masonic 
     Lodge #490 F&AM. He will be laid to rest in the Croley 
     Addition of Highland Park Cemetery in Williamsburg. Military 
     Graveside Honors will be conducted by the Kentucky National 
     Guard. Dan Ballou, Gary Taylor, Terry Huddleston, Bear 
     Lancaster, J.R. Peace, James York, Danny Ford, Bobby Freeman, 
     Tom Cline, and Alex Patrick will serve as pallbearers. 
     Honorary Pallbearers will be the Citizens of the 82nd 
     District.
       In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dewayne 
     Bunch Scholarship Fund at Forcht Bank of Williamsburg and 
     Corbin.

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