Thomas Bunch

The Honorable Thomas E. Bunch, 65, was brought to peace at 11:57 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2015, in his home in Ormond-by-the-Sea, FL, surrounded by immediate family holding his hand. It was a peace justly earned after fighting a courageous battle with lung cancer. His Florida beachside home was filled with life, love, and color during the last months of his life, frequented by his children, grandchildren, siblings, family, and close friends. First diagnosed in 2012, Tom initially overcame his disease through the strength and perseverance that came to define his character. He was ultimately overtaken following a long, heroic fight that started in early 2014 upon coming out of remission. His soul and fighting spirit left behind a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew him for years to come. Known as "Tex" in college for his good looks and Southern accent; "Tom" to his devoted wife of 43 years – Kathie (Meyer) Bunch – whose loyalty and love is an inspiration to all; "Dad" to his three children – Jon, Ryan, and Brooke – for setting an example in living a life of honor and putting up the good fight when needed; "Judge" to both the legal and local community for a well-earned position of prestige and continued impartiality both inside and outside the courtroom; and "Opa" to his five grandchildren – Tommy, Betty, Beck, Ry-Ry, and Brody – for spoiling and loving them massively, spending days on the Chillicothe farm introducing them to the beauty of nature and respect of all living things. He is survived by his wife, Kathie (Meyer) Bunch; his three children, Jonathon Travis Bunch, Ryan Thomas Bunch, and Brooke Marie Bunch; his five grandchildren, Thomas Booker Bunch, Elizabeth Catherine Bunch, Beckem Ryan Bunch, Ryan Anthony Bunch, and Broden Thomas Bunch; his mother, Marjory Bunch; and his two sisters Mary Ellen (Bunch) Warner, and Theresa (Bunch) Jennings. Preceding his passing are his father, Booker P. Bunch, and his sister, Barbara (Bunch) Connolly. Tom was born in Chillicothe on Oct. 8, 1949, to the late Booker and Marjory Bunch. A 1967 Bishop Flaget graduate, Bunch was a captain in the U.S. Army and distinguished military graduate of the University of Dayton, where he married his college sweetheart, Kathie, in August 1971. He also held a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo. For over 12 years, Tom worked as a private practice attorney in Chillicothe prior to his election to Municipal Court Judge in 1993, serving three terms before retiring in January 2012. Judge Bunch was well-known for his dedicated work for victim advocates, leading to the launch of the first Ohio court-sponsored victim advocate grant in 1994. The Victim/Witness Assistance Program, sponsored by the Chillicothe Municipal Court, provides aid and support for local crime victims, particularly those of domestic abuse. In addition, Judge Bunch was committed to upholding the safety of the Chillicothe Municipal Court, authorizing video arraignments and mandatory security screenings. Adding to his list of accomplishments as Judge is the pioneering of a public information website, the first of its kind in the region. His impact on the local community went far beyond the court. Tom served on the City's Civil Service Commission, YMCA Board, Bishop Flaget School Board, and the Bishop Flaget Parents Club, reigning as past president of St. Peter's Parish Council and coach of several youth sports teams. He was also a board member and legal adviser to the Good Samaritan Food Network, as well as an active member of the Unioto School Athletics Booster program. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am Friday, March 20, at St. Peter Catholic Church, Rev William Hahn and Msgr. Anthony Frecker, Celebrants. Military graveside services, conducted by the Ross Co. Veterans Honor Guard, will follow in St. Margaret Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday from 3:30pm -7:00pm at Haller Funeral Home, where a wake service will be held at 7pm. In lieu of flowers, etc., the family would prefer donations to the Judge Thomas Bunch Memorial Fund, dedicated to support the causes Judge Bunch believed in, primarily the Victim/Witness Assistance Program. Donations may be made via the Chillicothe Ross Community Foundation, 45 E. Main St., Chillicothe, Ohio, 45601. His online guestbook is available www.HallerFuneralHome.com
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Hon. Thomas E. Bunch , please click here to visit our Sympathy Store .