Gaylen Kim Bunker

Gaylen Kim Bunker, age 78, passed away on January 22, 2025, with his family by his side. He was born on July 12, 1946, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Elvin and Elva (Thomson) Bunker. He graduated from South High School in 1964 and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central States Mission. Gaylen married the love of his life and best friend, Diane Dent, on June 8, 1970, in the Salt Lake Temple; they have five children: Andrew (Sylvia), Bryan (Casey), Collin (Chassie), Devin (Marcie), and Emily (Adam) Zentner.

Gaylen started his career in the private sector, but found his true calling when he began teaching accounting and finance (or as he called it: fun and games) at Westminster College. He was named Professor of the Year in 1994 and impacted the lives of thousands of students across a 30-year teaching career. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gaylen served in many capacities including bishop, Sunday School teacher, and nursery worker.

Gaylen’s creativity, sense of humor, and interest in people were hallmarks of his personality. It was a rare conversation where he didn’t insert a pun, play on words, or joke. He wrote music, authored books, painted portraits and landscapes, designed and coded websites, organized social events, created board games and computer games, and beyond. Gaylen was especially adept at making friends, whether it was neighbors and colleagues, or a stranger waiting in line next to him at a store.

His greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Gaylen and Diane traveled the world together and had many other adventures over the course of their 54-year marriage. His only regret at the end of his life was that he didn’t get more time with Diane. He delighted in the successes of his children and grandchildren and went out of his way to attend games, performances, and celebrations.

He is survived by his wife, children, 13 grandchildren, brother Larry, and sister-in-law Nancy. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Karl and Tom, and sisters-in-law Colleen and Susan.

An evening viewing will be held Thursday, January 30, from 6-8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Dr., Millcreek, UT. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 31, at 11:00 a.m. at the Rosecrest Ward building (3101 S 2300 E, Salt Lake City, UT) with a viewing one hour prior. Graveside services will be held at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary following the funeral.

For those wishing to watch the service remotely, scroll down to the “Services” section and click “Join Livestream” in the Funeral Service box.

Family and friends are encouraged to send a note, share a story, and/or upload photographs on Gaylen’s memorial page.

As a tribute to Gaylen, encourage your children and grandchildren to read, befriend those around you, and brighten someone’s day with a joke or two.