Arthur John Bunge

Born on January 13, 1927 near Thrall, TX, Arthur passed away on February 6th, surrounded by his family and dear friends. The son of Emma and Ewald Bunge, Arthur grew up with his brothers Melvin, Leroy, Ewald, and, Lester, and his sister Bernice on their family farm. After graduating from Thrall High School in 1945 and completing an associate’s degree in bookkeeping in 1947, he married his sweetheart, Esther Stauffer, on August 10th, 1952. The couple moved to Austin, where Arthur was the bookkeeper and then part-owner of W.O. Harper Plumbing from 1947 until his retirement in 1997.

Devoted to family and friends, Arthur raised three sons – Bruce, Brent, and Brian – in the house that he and Esther built in North Austin. Though busy with work and the boys, he still found time to take Esther dancing on Saturday nights. The couple also enjoyed attending Texas Longhorn football games, and Arthur joined Esther in active membership and service at Redeemer Lutheran Church. After his retirement, Arthur devoted much of his time to restoring the farm on which Esther grew up. This labor of love included hours of fencing with his son, Brent, and an impressive leap over one of those fences in order to escape an antagonized bull when he was, as he put it, “only 78.” Esther and Arthur celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with many gathered friends at Bunge’s Farm in 2002, and their 60th more quietly, but still at the farm, in 2012.

Arthur is preceded in death by his parents, Emma and Ewald; by his stepmother, Esther Rabbe Bunge; by his brothers Melvin, Leroy, and Lester; and by his grandson, Shane Bunge. He is survived by his wife, Esther; brother Ewald and his wife Jean; sister Bernice; son Bruce Bunge and his wife Kathryn; son Brent Bunge; son Brian Bunge and his wife Jill; and grandchildren Madisen, Cameron, Molly, and John. The family is grateful to Legacy Hospice for their loving care in Arthur’s last days.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 10, 2014 in the funeral home chapel. He will be laid to rest at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Arthur’s name to Legacy Hospice, 120 E. South Town Dr. Suite #200, Tyler, TX 75703.

Please visit Mr. Bunge’s memorial at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.