HAMPTON — Ronald S. “Chubby” Bunch Jr., 77, passed away Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, surrounded by his loving family at Sentara CarePlex, Hampton, after a courageous battle with mesothelioma.
Ronald was born Dec. 17, 1942, in Edenton, North Carolina. Years of fishing, hunting and working the land on the farm gave him an appreciation for nature and a strong work ethic that he passed on to his children. As time went by, Ronald was better known as Chubby.
He graduated from John A. Holmes High School, and later became a proud graduate of the Apprentice School of Newport News Shipbuilding. After 36 years of service, Chubby retired from the Shipyard. Then, his days were spent keeping his yard and garden beautiful and sharing his vegetables with everyone.
Above all, Chubby enjoyed building memories with family, especially his grandsons. He loved watching them play in the sandbox Papa built them or in the dirt in Papa’s garden and taking them fishing and go-cart riding. He also appreciated the special times he spent with his son, Ronnie, working in the yard and garden, and going back home to North Carolina to cut wood.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Stella Bunch; and sister, Lorene Hare.
Survivors include Chubby’s loving wife of 55 years, Carolyn (Woodley); children, Kathryn Knowles (David), Beth Berry (Andy), and Ronnie Bunch; grandchildren, Jonathan Knowles, and his wife, Kaylie, and their son, Allwyn, and Drew and Matthew Berry. In addition, he is survived by his sisters, Lois Bryant and Charlotte Bunch; and many other close family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all, especially his lifelong friend, Kenny Kurtz.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Scott Kruger and nurse Farah for their extra loving care and attention. We are also very grateful for the care given by the other doctors and nurses at Sentara CarePlex.
A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, at Clark Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to the Healing Garden at Sentara Brock Cancer Center or any charity.
Share online condolences with the family at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.
