Dean Bunker

Dean Bunker, 91, was born July 28, 1922, in Jackson, Mich., to Milford and Esther Bunker.

He attended school in the surrounding area and met his future wife Mazie Rogers. They married June 28, 1941. Dean was a U.S. Army veteran and served during World War II. After the war, he worked various jobs, the longest being at Walker Manufacturing.

He and Mazie raised their family of five children in Michigan Center until 1960, when they moved to Alaska to homestead. They settled in Willow, and in 1962 Dean and his son Terry started school bus contracting. In 1964, Dean started commercial fishing in Cook Inlet during summer months and was still doing both until his death.

He was a charter member of the Sunshine Seventh-day Adventist church, a member of the Sunshine Seniors and active in the community. He enjoyed gardening, cutting wood and walks with his dog, Buddy.

He and Mazie decided to be “snow birds” in 2007 and bought a home in Longview, Wash., where they spent winters. It was at their home in Longview on Feb. 14, 2014, that Dean died holding hands with Mazie, his wife of 72 ½ years, and surrounded by other family members.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers; and two sisters.

Surviving are his wife, Mazie; sons, Terry (Juanita) Bunker and Robert Bunker; daughters, Diana (Joseph) Walker, Gloria (Doran) Lee and Phyllis (Tom) Symmonds; sister, Barbara Redman; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in Alaska at a later date.