CORBIN —
By Jeff Noble / Staff writer
Former State Rep. Dewayne Bunch (R-82nd), who suffered a serious head injury while breaking up a high school fight April 12, 2011, died at 2:31 p.m. Wednesday at Oak Tree Hospital in Corbin. He was 50 years old.
Bunch's death was confirmed by a family representative at their Williamsburg home.
He was the husband of current 82nd District Rep. Regina Bunch. Together, they had three daughters.
In addition to his role in the state legislature in Frankfort, Dewayne Bunch was also a math and science teacher for 17 years at Whitley County High School. He served with the Kentucky National Guard for 23 years and led the Mountain Warriors in Iraq, serving as First Sergeant.
It was there in the school's cafeteria that April day when he tried to break up a fight between two students when he was punched and fell, hitting his head on the cafeteria floor. Bunch was taken to Baptist Regional Medical Center before being transferred to the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington where he was immediately sent into surgery.
Bunch suffered a traumatic brain injury and was sent to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Ga., in April 2011 for rehabilitation. By June of that year, he was able to communicate, as well as hug and kiss his family again. After his time in Atlanta, Bunch's wife said his rehabilitation would continue in Lexington at the UK Hospital, which he did so by the end of 2011.
Bunch had been elected to the state house in May 2010 after he defeated longtime representative Charles Siler in the Republican primary. Since he had no Democratic opposition, Bunch went on to begin his term in Frankfort in Jan. 2011.
After his injury and rehabilitation, his wife Regina informed house leaders on Oct. 26, 2011, of her husband's decision to resign. In November, Regina Bunch announced her intention to seek the nomination for his seat to finish her husband's term. She won in a special election on Dec. 20 running unopposed.
Regina Bunch won a full two-year term to the state House in May, easily defeating her Republican opponent, Larry Goins. She will begin that new term next January, since she has no Democratic opposition this November.
As word of Dewayne Bunch's death spread Wednesday, words of sympathy and condolences poured from those at the state capitol to the courthouse and city hall who knew him well during his time in public service.
Dewayne Bunch was a close friend of Whitley County Judge/Executive Pat White Jr.
White said, "It is truly a tragedy for this family and the entire community. Dewayne brought an energetic desire to the office of state representative to better this region. Our thoughts and prayers will be with his family."
"After he was elected, Dewayne would come by and ask us at City Hall if we needed any help with issues in Corbin, and he was always sincere in his efforts. He was a very sincere person, and had his heart in the job. It is a sad day for all of us. He was in there just a short time, and his wife continued his service with honor. His passing is truly a loss for all of us," said Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney.
Whitley Circuit Court Clerk Gary Barton said, "The community has lost someone very special. Thoughts and prayers are certainly with Regina and her family."
During his term in Frankfort, Bunch was friends with members of the state House Republican Caucus. Members of the caucus responded Wednesday by saying, "Dewayne truly represented someone who is committed to serving the public, whether it be as a school teacher, a member of the armed services, his church and his neighbors. It was that caring commitment and dedication to the people of Whitley County that prompted him to run and win election as state representative. Our thoughts and prayers are with Regina, her family and all those who knew and loved Dewayne as they deal with his passing. The family has requested privacy during these difficult times, and when the memorial arrangements have been completed they will be made available to the public and press."
Gov. Steve Beshear said Wednesday during a visit to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, "Dewayne was a wonderful person and a great state representative. He will be sorely missed by all of us. Our hearts go out to Regina and her whole family."
"I am saddened by the loss of former Representative Dewayne Bunch. As a teacher and state representative, Dewayne served the people of the Commonwealth, especially those in Whitley and Laurel counties, with distinction. He also proudly served our country in Iraq as a member of the Kentucky National Guard. Elaine and I send our condolences to his wife, Regina, his family, and all those at Whitley County High School that knew and loved him," said Kentucky's senior U.S. Senator and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell from his Washington office.
In a message from his Frankfort office, state House Speaker Greg Stumbo said, "On behalf of the Kentucky House, I want to extend condolences to the Bunch family during this difficult time and want them to know they are in our thoughts and prayers. Dewayne showed tremendous potential as a legislator, and his wife Regina has done an outstanding job in serving the remainder of his term."
Funeral arrangements are incomplete, and will be announced by Croley Funeral Home of Williamsburg.
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