1919
Stuart
2012
Stuart Bunn
May 26, 1919 — October 8, 2012
Stuart (Spud) Eastham Bunn passed away October 8, 2012 surrounded by loving family. Stuart was born May 26, 1919 to George Peter Bunn and Helen Beulah (Eastham) Bunn in Atchison, KS.
While attending the University of Kansas, Stuart met the love of his life Jeanne Brock at a picnic in Salina, KS. As luck would have it Stuart joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Jeanne joined Kappa Alpha Theta sorority next door. Stuart was employed as a waiter in the Theta House so he was able to see Jeanne on a regular basis. Stuart was also a Yell Leader at KU and attended a recent Cheer & Yell Leader reunion. Stuart graduated in 1942 from the University of Kansas with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
In 1944 Stuart and Jeanne were married in San Angelo, Texas while he was attending Officers Training School. After he became a Second Lieutenant the newlyweds were transferred to Warner Robins, Georgia, where Stuart served as a test pilot in the Army Air Corp during the remainder of World War II.
After the war, Stuart accepted a position with the Phillips Petroleum Company at their refinery in Kansas City. Stuart was always an entrepreneur at heart and soon became an engineering manufacturing representative. In 1962 he purchased Ball Valve Company which was located in Neodesha, Kansas. Stuart commuted between Neodesha and Prairie Village for several years until he could relocate the business to the Kansas City area. Ball Valve Company was relocated to Merriam, KS in 1965 and eventually was moved to Olathe, KS. Ball Valve was sold to MASCO Corporation in 1983 and Stuart officially retired from Ball Valve in 1986. Ever the entrepreneur, even in retirement, Stuart mentored many small businesses.
The young couple initially settled in Kansas City, Mo near the Country Club Plaza and in 1946 they were able to relocate to the newly developed subdivision of Prairie Village, Kansas. In 2009, Jeanne passed away. Two years later Spud left their home of forty-eight years and moved to Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community. There he made many more good friends among the residents and staff.
Stuart and Jeanne enjoyed traveling, genealogy, antiquing, attending auctions, collecting American Indian art work and jewelry and collecting antique wood working tools. Most of all they enjoyed socializing with their many close friends.
Stuart was preceded in death by his parents, his only brother and Jeanne his wife of 65 years. He is survived by James (Nancy), Steven, and Jennifer (Dan), five grandchildren, one great grandson, one nephew and two nieces.
The family requests contributions to Tallgrass Creek Benevolent Care Fund, 13800 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66223 in lieu of flowers.
The services will be held at Village Presbyterian Church, Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 11:00 am, with visitation beginning at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Johnson County Memorial Gardens.
While attending the University of Kansas, Stuart met the love of his life Jeanne Brock at a picnic in Salina, KS. As luck would have it Stuart joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Jeanne joined Kappa Alpha Theta sorority next door. Stuart was employed as a waiter in the Theta House so he was able to see Jeanne on a regular basis. Stuart was also a Yell Leader at KU and attended a recent Cheer & Yell Leader reunion. Stuart graduated in 1942 from the University of Kansas with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
In 1944 Stuart and Jeanne were married in San Angelo, Texas while he was attending Officers Training School. After he became a Second Lieutenant the newlyweds were transferred to Warner Robins, Georgia, where Stuart served as a test pilot in the Army Air Corp during the remainder of World War II.
After the war, Stuart accepted a position with the Phillips Petroleum Company at their refinery in Kansas City. Stuart was always an entrepreneur at heart and soon became an engineering manufacturing representative. In 1962 he purchased Ball Valve Company which was located in Neodesha, Kansas. Stuart commuted between Neodesha and Prairie Village for several years until he could relocate the business to the Kansas City area. Ball Valve Company was relocated to Merriam, KS in 1965 and eventually was moved to Olathe, KS. Ball Valve was sold to MASCO Corporation in 1983 and Stuart officially retired from Ball Valve in 1986. Ever the entrepreneur, even in retirement, Stuart mentored many small businesses.
The young couple initially settled in Kansas City, Mo near the Country Club Plaza and in 1946 they were able to relocate to the newly developed subdivision of Prairie Village, Kansas. In 2009, Jeanne passed away. Two years later Spud left their home of forty-eight years and moved to Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community. There he made many more good friends among the residents and staff.
Stuart and Jeanne enjoyed traveling, genealogy, antiquing, attending auctions, collecting American Indian art work and jewelry and collecting antique wood working tools. Most of all they enjoyed socializing with their many close friends.
Stuart was preceded in death by his parents, his only brother and Jeanne his wife of 65 years. He is survived by James (Nancy), Steven, and Jennifer (Dan), five grandchildren, one great grandson, one nephew and two nieces.
The family requests contributions to Tallgrass Creek Benevolent Care Fund, 13800 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66223 in lieu of flowers.
The services will be held at Village Presbyterian Church, Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 11:00 am, with visitation beginning at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Johnson County Memorial Gardens.
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