He is survived by his wife and love of his life for over 50 years, Mrs. Beverly Jean Bunton; his children; Mr. Dallas Bunton Jr. (Cyndi), Ms. Dawn Renee Bunton, Mrs. Dusty Vigil (James) and Mr. Darin Bunton; his sisters; Mrs. Judy Aubrey of Chattanooga, TN, Mrs. Jayne Page (Bennie) of Burlington, NC, Mrs. Jackie Younts (Mark) of Burlington, NC, Mrs. Geraldine Jordan (Howard) of Burlington, NC, Mrs. Marilyn Porthrys of Cartersville, GA, Mrs. Tammy Rohrer (Rich) of Burlington, NC; his brother, Bud Mansfield of Mebane, NC; Mr. Lee Jones of Chattanooga, TN; his grandchildren, Dallas Bunton III, Kenny Bunton, Joseph Bunton, Dustin Bunton, Kaleb Bunton, Bryson Bunton, Brayden and Adison Hilton, Maria Vigil, Naomi Bunton, Jasmin Bunton, Kaia Bunton and great granddaughter, Dallas Rose Bunton all of Chattanooga, TN.
He came from very humble beginnings in Graham, North Carolina and only completed the 10th grade before enlisting in the army. He served as a Staff Sargent from 1966 through 1975 and was stationed at the DMZ in Korea. In 1981, he took leadership of North American Credit Services in Chattanooga, TN. In the early 90s, he purchased NACS from AdventHealth and opened Medical Services, Inc.; both organizations provide revenue management services to the healthcare industry.
Mr. Bunton’s faith and spirit were larger than life. He lived his life based on three simple principles; faith, integrity and service. Even when faced with challenges with his health or in his business he stood firm on these principles and never took the easy road. His philosophies on life carried over into the coaching and mentoring he did both inside and outside his organization. Mr. Bunton was an avid coach, and he never missed an opportunity to point those struggling in the right direction or to provide a shoulder to lean on in times of despair. Many of his employees lovingly refer to him as their second Dad because of the impact he had in their lives.
One of Mr. Bunton’s passions was his family. He met his beautiful Kiowa Native American bride, Beverly Jean in early 1968 while stationed at Fort Sill at a dance club. Beverly Jean was smitten by her blue-eyed soul brother and quickly fell in love. A few months after their first dance, they traveled to North Carolina and on April 1, 1969 they married in front of the Justice of the Peace. Their wedding night was spent at small hotel in Graham, North Carolina, as a single record played in the background as they started their lives together.
Mr. Bunton loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchild dearly and never ceased in his commitment to pray and provide for them. From an early age, he taught them the importance of hard work and what it meant to be a servant leader. As his health issues impeded his ability to work, he entrusted his children to lead the organization and provide the same level of service he had instilled in them for over 38 years.
He also loved his North Carolina Tarheels – especially basketball! His favorite color was Tarheel blue, and he could often be found huddled up with his family watching a game decked out in true Tarheel fashion. He was fiercely competitive and often enjoyed a rousing game of golf with his sons or work buddies. He was known to have foosball tournaments at the office. If you managed to beat him then he would close the office and let the employees start their holiday celebrations early with pay.
Mr. Bunton also enjoyed creating free style rhymes and writing poetry to comfort and support those he loved. His sisters have many fond memories of their brother entertaining them as youngsters with his little ditties and rhymes.
He was the ultimate gardener and used his God given talents to plant seeds, nurture development and prepare his children and work family for the time he would rest. He taught them the importance of having goals, achieving them, and celebrating success by giving all the Glory to God.
After battling and beating stage III lung cancer in 2002 and recovering from a quadruple bypass in 2012, he devoted his time to making memories with his precious wife and family. Being the ultimate romantic, he even coordinated a 50th wedding vow renewal ceremony that included their children and grandchildren as they pledged to spend eternity together.
One of Mr. Bunton’s favorite holidays was Independence Day. Being a veteran made him keenly aware of the sacrifices of the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. Although our hearts are broken, it seems fitting that Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Husband, Friend, Boss, Prayer Warrior and Ultimate Encourager enjoyed his final sunset on the eve of July 4th – the holiday dedicated to independence and service.
In his final days he spent his time speaking words of wisdom to his family and employees as he knew his journey was coming to a close. Never one to rest, he fought to be present and available to those he loved even though his heart was tired. He was prepared to meet his Savior and experienced no fear in his closing days. He knew the Lord had the wheel, he had fought the good fight, and he had kept the faith.
We love you and are eternally grateful for the time God shared you with us. Our hearts yearn for that great day when we will be reunited with you in heaven. Your legacy and spirit live on and we will remember and live by the principles you taught us – faith, integrity service.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, July7, 2019 at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 8, 2019 at the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists, 4829 College Drive East, Collegedale, Tennessee 37315 with Pastor Jim Herman and Pastor Mickey Mallory officiating. Interment will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Please share your thoughts and memories at: www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com
Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153 Hixson, TN. 37343.
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