Palestine High School Alumni Association

Joe Ed Bunton, 65, passed away on April 26th, 2013 at his home in Palestine, Texas. Joe Ed was born on April, 17, 1948 in Palestine, Texas to Carl and Mary Alice Bobbitt Bunton.

Joe Ed grew up in Palestine, Texas. He graduated from Palestine High School in 1966. After high school he enlisted in the Army in 1970 and served for 14-plus years. He fought in the Vietnam War and was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with Numerals 12, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Services Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Army Aviator Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Palm. He resigned in 1984, after achieving the rank of Major and earning a Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics.

After the Army he began work for Allstate Insurance as an Insurance Agent. He then went into the oil field business working for Grey Wolf for 15 years and then Tesco for five years. He started working for Lone Star College in 2011 until present as the Director of Oil & Gas.

Joe Ed married Phillis Ann Harden on Aug. 24, 1968 in Palestine, Texas. They were happily married for 44 years. Joe was a member of Trinity Valley Community Church. He was passionate about his family, his country and being able to help others through his work.

Was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Mary Alice Bunton; and niece, Wendy E. Bunton

He is survived by his brother, Bill and wife Evelyn Bunton; spouse, Phillis Ann Bunton of Palestine; his daughters, Shannon Desha Adams, Mellissa Ann Bunton, Jo Anne Calverley and Amanda Bunton Trevino; son in-laws, Randy Adams, Bubba Campbell, Donald Calverley and Lonnie Trevino Jr. Grandchildren are: Shane Bradley Calverley, Kirsten Desha Price, Danielle Elizabeth Adams, Trey Campbell, Alexandra Nicole Adams, William Hunter Calverley, Savannah Marie Campbell, Laura Ashley Calverley, Samuel Isaiah Adams, Madison Elise Calverley, Genna Marie Adams and Caitlynn Isabella Adams. Great-grandchild is Gavin Hunter Adams.

A funeral service will be held at Dogwood Hills Baptist Church, 3400 N. U.S. 79, Palestine, Texas, 75801 at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2013. Burial will follow at Roselawn Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and to acknowledge Joe Ed’s commitment to educating tomorrow’s workforce, the family requests that donations be made to:

The Lone Star College Foundation, 5000 Research Forest Dr., The Woodlands, Texas 77381 and designated for the Joe Ed Bunton Memorial Scholarship. Additional information at 832.813.6636.

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Attn: Sarcoma Center 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, Texas 77030, in memory of Joe Ed Bunton.

The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701 in memory of Joe Ed Bunton.