Thomas Bunch

Coach Thomas Bunch Retired Head Football Coach and Educator LINCOLNTON, GA. - Former Lincoln County Schools Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Thomas Hardwick Bunch, 90, formerly of Sunrise Drive, entered into rest Sunday, April 10, 2011 at Doctor's Hospital, Augusta. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday from the Lincolnton Baptist Church with Rev. Dan Rosser officiating. Burial will follow in the Lincolnton City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Larry Campbell, Josh Bunch, David Evans, Guil Mattison, Lee Partridge, Kit Hackney, William Ezzell and Baz Ezzell. Former and current staff of the Lincoln County Athletic Department will serve as honorary pallbearers. Born in Lincoln County, the son of the late Gideon Webster and Frances Thurmond Bunch, Coach Bunch graduated from the Lincoln County Schools where he was the center for the Red Devil Football team wearing jersey number zero. He later answered his country's call to service as a member of the United States Army Air Force. Achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant with the 380th Bombardment Group, Coach Bunch was as an airplane crew chief serving in several locations. He received the Philippine Liberation Service Ribbon as well as the American and Asiatic-Pacific Service Ribbon. During his military career Coach Bunch was trained and served as an airplane mechanic. Following his military service he furthered his education with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Georgia. Continuing his lifelong interest in athletics Coach Bunch began his teaching career in the Wilkes County School System as a teacher and coach. In 1956 he joined the staff of the Lincoln County School System where he served as a classroom teacher, coach, counselor and athletic director for 30 years. In 1961 he assumed the duties of head football coach and went on to lead the Red Devils to two consecutive state titles in 1962 and 1963. Coach Bunch was honored both seasons with his selection as Coach of the Year. In 1964 he was selected to coach the South All-Stars in Atlanta. A number of Coach Bunch's players have enjoyed successful college and NFL careers, while many others have become coaches themselves. To remember his legacy and honor his service, the fieldhouse near the stadium area was dedicated in his honor as the "Thomas H. Bunch Fieldhouse" in 2003. In addition to his far-reaching influence through athletics, Coach Bunch also provided a positive role model and helped mold the character of the community by the lives he touched through his counseling and guidance and his firm belief in the young people of Lincoln County. He demonstrated his strong Christian beliefs through his faithful membership at Lincolnton Baptist Church where his character and integrity was an example in his service as a deacon, member of the choir and as a Sunday school teacher. He was honored in 2001 as the Grand Marshal of the annual Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. More important than all the accolades received by Coach Bunch, the one goal paramount to him was in the accomplishments and successes of the students and people he served in life. One former student remarked, "the first thing Coach Bunch asked of me when I made my first visit home after entering college was 'how are your grades?'" He is survived by two sons Thomas H. Bunch, Jr. and wife Beth of Washington and Timothy N. Bunch and wife Tina of Gainesville. A daughter Lynn B. Nagy and husband Bill of Harlem. He is also survived by grandchildren Audrea Ezzell, Josh Bunch, Suzanne Bunch, Justin Bunch, Brittany Bunch, Joshula Bunch, Catherine Holloway and Zach Holloway. In addition he is survived by a special friend Betty McGill. In addition to his parents. Coach Bunch was preceded in death by his beloved wife Alice Norman Bunch and a grandson Jonathon A Bunch. An award was established several years ago in his honor and is presented annually to an athlete who displays the high ideals and tenets Coach Bunch exhibited though his life and character. If desired, memorials may be made to the Thomas Bunch Character Award, 200 Charles Ward Elam St., Lincolnton, GA 30817 The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Lincoln County High School Athletic Complex, 200 Charles Ward Elam Street, Lincolnton, Georgia. Please visit www.beggsfuneralhome.net to sign the family's personal guest book. Beggs Funeral Home, 200 May Avenue, Lincolnton, Georgia. (706) 359-4117. For detailed information on Coach Thomas Bunch's coaching career and a biography written by Lincoln County Red Devil statistician Johnny Walton please visit: RedDevils.us