Gerald Max Bundrick

Funeral services for Gerald Max Bundrick, 82, of Central will be held Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Lufkin with Rev. Travis G. Bundrick officiating. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Gann Cemetery. Gerald Bundrick was born in New Salem, Texas September 19, 1932 to Jim and Vicki (Nichols) Bundrick. He passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2014 in a Georgetown, Texas nursing facility. He is survived by his forever love, his wife of sixty years, Ollie Ladd Bundrick. Survivors also include two daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn and Bob Higginbotham and Vicki and Jerry L. Harris; one son and daughter-in-law, Travis G. and Betty Bundrick; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. His family was the proudest achievement of his life. Gerald was the youngest of eight children. He is survived by one sister, Jimmie Little of Tyler. He is preceded in death by four sisters: Lertie King, Pearl Fuller, Anna Johnson, and Lorene McKnight; two brothers: Travis Olen Bundrick and Lester Gene (Bill) Bundrick. He has 27 nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and nephews and a few great-great-nieces and nephews. He loved them all and enjoyed being “The Uncle”. Gerald proudly served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, including a year in Vietnam and 13 months in Korea. At his retirement he had earned the rank of Master Sergeant. He loved his country. He worked on or flew on the following aircraft: C-130, P-91, C-54, 01 and 02. He became an expert on the “gooney bird, the C-47” airplane. While stationed in Panama, he was called on to lead the C-47 conference at Warner Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia. He headed a team from Panama to travel to Guatemala to inspect the Guatemalan Air Force which consisted mostly of C-47’s. After being on flying status and having flown 1000 hours on the C-47 as crew chief/flight engineer, he was awarded his wings permanently. His last assignment before retirement was at England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana, where he was the only instructor on C-47’s in the USAF. All pilots going for a first tour in Vietnam were required to take the course. After his Air Force career, he earned an Associate Degree at Angelina College. He taught an automotive class at Angelina College before going into the automotive business as Service Writer, Service Manager and automotive sales. Cars and airplanes were his passions. He finished his working years with eleven years at Central School, mostly as a bus driver; another job he loved. Gerald loved to travel. He has been in 39 countries, all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii, and eight of the ten provinces of Canada. Even after he became very ill he never tired of planning to make “one more trip”. He felt closest to God as he travelled the world. Now he has made his final journey by following God’s roadmap that he committed to follow in September 1960 when he was on a 13 month classified mission in Korea. As he was flying over the Yellow Sea of China, he knelt on the floor of the C-47 aircraft and asked the Lord to be his Savior and he has never wavered from the course. He was ordained as a deacon in 1974 and was active until poor health forced him to go on the inactive list in January 2011. He led the widows program at Calvary Baptist Church in Lufkin for over ten years and enjoyed visiting people in the hospital. He loved all people and had a special place in his heart for children. Pallbearers will be James D. Ivy, Doug Maddux, Bill Anthony, Bob Moore, Marvin Slusher and Trey Ainsworth. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to a cause Gerald promoted for many years, world hunger. Donations may be sent to: Baptist General Convention of Texas World Hunger Offering, 333 N. Washington Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75246. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.