Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Daniel Everts Bunn passed peacefully February 24, 2015 at his Gold Hill home with his wife and daughter Michelle by his side.
Dan was born October 15, 1925 in Seattle Washington to Francis George Bunn and Carolyn Everts Bunn. His parents raised Dan and his three siblings in Wishram Washington a railroad town on the Columbia River. As a young boy Dan learned and enjoyed working in his fathers general store. In 1939 at the age of 14 Dan started Wishrams first garbage service. He bought a truck and hired a 16-year-old driver, as Dan was too young to legally drive.
In 1943 he graduated from White Salmon High (Near Wishram) and within months enlisted in the Coast Guard. He served as a sonar man during WWII in the North Pacific. After his discharge in 1947 Dan returned to Wishram and had a short marriage to Florine Gabbert. He took over the general store from his father and was loved by the whole town as was his father and mother; even so Dan and his younger brother Robert (Bob) had larger plans. In 1952 they bought the Corvallis Disposal Company and later merged with others to form Waste Control Systems, which operated solid-waste-related businesses up and down the Willamette Valley. Dan and Bob expanded into manufacturing, commercial rental properties and other service oriented industries. Their partnership lasted over half a century.
In 1955 Dan married Pamela Parker Jenkins and together they raised three children, Michelle, Danna and Eric. The marriage ended in 1977.
The solid waste collection and disposal business was only a part of Dan’s life; his other career also began in the 1950’s, real estate development. He was particularly adept at recognizing the potential in a piece of property. He loved this part of his life the most and he mentored many people along the way. Many have expressed thanks to Dan for his guidance in helping chart their road to success.
In 1985 Dan settled in the Rogue Valley, his land development ventures were many as it was not work to him, it was fun. Land was in his blood and he never retired from it.
Dan was single more than 20 years when he fell in love with his current wife Candida (Candy) Drake in 1998. Dan and Candy traveled the world, went fishing in several countries and camping all over the Pacific Northwest. Dan was active and vibrant to the end, hardly slowing down, as he got older. When Dan was 82 he started going to the gym for the first time with his wife Candy, they kept up a 3 to 4 times a week schedule until Dan was 89. Dan loved Candy’s family just like his own, he cared for his ill mother-in-law in his home for her last 2 years, and he was extremely kind and attentive to her. Strength, humility, always a positive outlook and most of all generosity distinguished Dan’s life.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents, sister Nancy Ross and brother Bob Bunn. He is survived by his wife Candy Bunn; sister Mardy Kerr; sister-in-law Kitty Bunn; 3 children and their spouses, Michelle & John Sweet, Danna & Maurizio Nadalet and Eric & Georgia Bunn, five grandchildren, Kelly, Brian, Tara, Ashley and Daniel; eight great- grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Sister-in-law Jo Sagert and her children Steven and Veronica who have lived with Dan for many of his last years also survive him. He’s leaving a big hole in many, many hearts, which his family prays will be filled with happy memories.
According to Dan’s wishes, no service will be held and his ashes spread where he was married on the bank of the Rogue River at their home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army.
A special thank you to Cal Lanfear and his wife Nancy for their friendship of 30 years and for the time, activities and compassion during Dan’s last few months.
