Paul Eugene Bunch Jr.

Paul Eugene Bunch Jr. (65) of Interlachen died Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at his home with his family at his side, after a recent diagnosis of late stage metastatic cancer. Paul was born in Dayton Ohio, and spent his childhood in Lafayette, Indiana. His family later moved to Tampa, where he attended high school and college. Paul was a career public servant; serving first as a proud member of the U.S. Navy where he trained as a sonar technician, and later served as a sonar instructor. He was deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield. Paul completed his bachelors degree in Mathematics while stationed in San Diego, California. After his naval service, Paul obtained his teaching certificate and returned to Florida where he began, and completed his 25 year career as a Putnam County School District educator teaching math at Palatka High School; only retiring unexpectedly this past summer due to his acute illness. Paul was the quintessential family man. He was a proud and involved dad and uncle, and always active in supporting students and his kids in the arts, scouting, community service and family activities. Paul was preceded in death by his first wife Melinda McCullough Bunch, parents; Paul Sr. & Elizabeth Bunch, mother-in-law; Joni Bova, father-in-law; Bruce McCullough Jr., sister & brother-in-law; Marcia and John Carpenter, and nephew; John Carpenter Jr. Paul is survived by his wife Barbara Lesch Bunch, his two daughters; Rebecca & Grace Bunch, son; Brian Bunch, sister; Janet (Robin) Cadle, sisters-in-law; Natalie Trachtenberg, Colleen (Tim) Correia, Meg (Pete) Cullum, brothers-in-law; Charles (Brynn) Lesch, Scott (Karyn) Graham, Fabian, Bruce, & Matthew McCullough, and mother-in-law; Norma McCullough, nephews; Adam (Victoria) McCullough, U.S.A.F. Capt. Scott Correia, and Mark Carpenter, nieces; Alicia (Travis) Bledsoe, Kelsey Trachtenberg, U.S.N. Ens. Ariel (Chris) Harrington, and Alannah Cullum, and great-nephews & niece Logan & Carson Lesch, and Jordan McCullough. A memorial service for Paul will be held on Saturday, September 24 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grandin Lake Shores community clubhouse. 418 Holiday Drive, Interlachen FL 32148. For those inquiring, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Brian’s FFA chapter at his school. C/O QIR FFA chapter 901 SR 100, Florahome FL 32140.