Obituaries

James Vincent “Jim” Bunch, 79, of Clarksburg, passed away on Monday, February 13, 2017, at his residence following a long battle with cancer.

He was born in Clarksburg, on June 9, 1937, a son of the late John Edward and Rena Mae Riffle Bunch.

Twice married he was preceded in death by his first wife, Wanda Shirley Bunch in August of 1990, and is survived by his second wife, Pamela L. Demastus Bunch whom he married on October 15, 1991.

Mr. Bunch is also survived by one son, Timothy Bunch and wife Amy of Lake Floyd; three daughters, Tammy Sue Blake and husband Danny of Bridgeport, Donna Jo Bunch Swiger, and Michael Frances Oldaker and husband Jason of Roanoke, VA; four grandchildren, Sabrina Amato, Steven Swiger, Clarissa Bunch and Corey Bunch; and three great grandchildren, Chandler Warsewich, Skyler Warsewich and Blake Amato. Also surviving are four brothers, Bill Bunch and wife Ruth, John David Bunch, Myron Flint and wife Beulah, and Fred Flint, Jr. and wife Joann; four sisters, Dianna Jo Conaway, Betty June Wilcox and husband John, Bonna Mae Losh and husband Phillip and Debrah Vore; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by two grandsons, Jarrod and James.

Jim was a graduate of Victory High School and served in the U.S. Army National Guard for seven years and was discharged as an SP5.

He formerly worked for the Exponent Telegram as the circulation manager with 37 years of service and was an insurance agent with AIG Network for six years. More recently he worked for the Harrison County Board of Education as a bus driver and retired after 14 years of service.

Jim started playing music in Adamston Grade School, and sang in the choir at Victory High School. He started playing music professionally when he was 20 years of age, and became a member of the Musician’s Union when he was 21 years old.

He was a member of the Full Gospel Worship Center and a former member of the American Federation of Musician’s Local #580. Jim had three bands, Country Justice, The Auditions, and Chain Reaction. His bands played at the County Fairs throughout the state, and played at the Salem Depot with “Depot Boys and Girls”. He traveled throughout the East Coast playing in the National Boy Scouts Orchestra.

Jim also played at political rallies for A. James Manchin, Tim Miley and Dan Thompson and opened for Hank Williams, Jr., Freddie Hart, Tommy Cash, Bill Anderson, Confederate Railroad, Dottie West, Faron Young, Hank Williams, III, Jett Williams, Jeannie Shepherd and T.G. Shepherd.

He played with the Minstrels at the Robinson Grand Theatre, and for many years he had the Country Christmas Special for charities at the Robinson Grand, as well as played on the Courthouse Square for West Virginia Days.

His recordings, “Fighting Fire with Fire” and “If You Wanna Kiss Me Goodnight”, were on the Top 13 Billboard in the 70’s when he was an up and coming artist in Nashville, TN. Most recently he recorded two gospel CD’s and one Country CD.

He started Newspaper in Education in Harrison County, Scripps Spelling Bee, and was a graduate of the University of Hard Knocks.

Jim’s love of music took him throughout the state of West Virginia and beyond, but above all he loved his family.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort on Thursday from 12:00 to 8:00 pm.

The service will be held at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home on Friday, February 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Jim Nuzum presiding.

Interment will follow in the Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com  A service of Amos Carvelli Home.