John “Jack” Dennis Bunbury peacefully joined his first mate and beloved son, Timothy, following his just celebrated 81st birthday.

John was born in South Bend, Ind. and lived in Niles until the nuns encouraged him to attend Loras Academy in Dubuque, Iowa. John graduated from the University of Michigan, School of Business in 1951 and married his Tri Delta college sweetheart Barbara Krause in 1952.

Soon after graduation, John served on an amphibious flagship in the Navy as a lieutenant J.G. He dedicated his entire professional career to Wolverine World Wide and retired from the company as president of the international division. He traveled extensively and enjoyed taking his family on trips around the globe. John unselfishly volunteered his time as president of the Rockford School Board and as president of the Rockford Lions Club. He was also a member of the Rockford City Council, the board of Aquinas College and the board of the Independent Bank. In his later years, he truly enjoyed his work as a member of the state board of the Michigan Special Olympics.

John’s membership in the University of Michigan Victor’s Club was especially treasured by his family and friends who enjoyed his parking pass for football tailgate parties. He was a member of the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club and sailed in 18 Chicago-Mackinac races. As a member of Grass Lake Hunting and Fishing Club, he loved deer hunting and fishing with his family (to whom he was affectionately known as “JD”). John also enjoyed flying and he treasured his companionship with his fellow “Quiet Birdmen” pilots. He was an avid setback player and strictly followed the “International Rockford Rules” of the game. John, along with a few of his Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity brothers, was a founding member of Cannonsburg Ski Area.

John will be dearly missed by his devoted wife, Barbara; daughter, Molly Bunbury Krauss and her husband, Kevin; son, Chris Bunbury; and adoring grandchildren, Joel Krauss and his wife, Ali, Peter and Casey Krauss, Parker, Brooks and Kara Bunbury; and sister, Mary Flynn; along with many nieces and nephews.

The family will greet relatives and friends Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 North Monroe St., Rockford, Mich. with a service celebrating John’s life immediately following at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society or a charity of choice.

Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford (pedersonfuneralhome.com) is in charge of arrangements.