Jim Bundrant

James "Jim" Douglas Bundrant, Sr., 88 of Cookeville, Tennessee went to be with His Lord Thursday morning, March 24, 2022 at his daughter's home, with family beside him. He was born September 13, 1933 in Osaka, Virginia to the late Charles Andrew and Lena Bray Bundrant. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Helen Louise Deere Bundrant on January 16, 2012, sisters Helen Burdette, Ruth Grogan and Rosalie Felts, and brothers Charles and Bill Bundrant. Jim was a Navy veteran, serving from 1954 to 1957. He was a hospital corpsman on the U.S.S. Saratoga. At Emory & Henry College, he met his beloved wife whom he married in 1961, after finishing college. Following graduation from college with a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry (with minors in biology and French), he attended one year of medical school in Richmond, Virginia. After sensing that he wasn't supposed to continue in medical school, he then went to seminary. While in seminary, Jim and his wife Helen were called to be missionaries to South Korea for what ended up being 22 years (though Helen had earlier received the call to missions at the age of 15). Jim was the middle school and high school science teacher at Korea Christian Academy, where he had high expectations for himself and his students and challenged his students to reach their potentials. Known to his students as Mr. B., he ended up educating many future doctors and nurses and other health professionals (including all four of his children). While at KCA, he also served in other capacities while teaching science, including dorm parent, interim principal and PE teacher. During one of their furlough years in the States, Jim attended ETSU to pursue his Master of Arts degree in science education, which he later completed after returning to Korea. Jim and his wife were members of New Beginning Fellowship Church in Cookeville, Tennessee, and Jim also served on the advisory team there for many years. Together, Jim and Helen had a routine of walking multiple miles for exercise while singing a series of songs and also lifting up to the Lord many people they loved and cared about. During his retirement, Jim also enjoyed gardening, yard work and telling jokes. His loving, caring, faithful and generous nature exhibited to his children and grandchildren the character of God the Father. Jim was also a wise and praying man, for which his family and friends are grateful. Survivors include daughters: Suzanna and Hoyt Greenwell of Waverly, Carol and Matt Hofer of Limestone, TN, Holly Marie Bundrant of Cookeville; son Doug and Carla Bundrant of Cookeville; grandchildren: Rhendi Greenwell, Olivia Thornburg, Abby (Dylan) Trusler, Ivy Thornburg, Ashley Hofer, Lindsey Hofer, Trey (Ashlynn) Bundrant, Andrew Bundrant, Mary Grace Bundrant; and great-grandchildren: Amiyah Turner, Ezra Trusler, Chloe Grace Trusler and on the way, Emerson Kate Bundrant. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155. The funeral service will be Saturday, April 2 at 1 PM at New Beginning Fellowship Church, 775 West Cemetery Road, Cookeville, TN. Interment with military honors by the Veterans Honor Guard will follow in the West Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church Friday, April 1 from 5 to 8 PM and after 11 AM Saturday, April 2 at the church until service time. Pastor Randy Hill will officiate. For those unable to join in person, the service will also be available to be viewed at newbeginning.church. Dyer Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (931)526-7158. You may share your thoughts and memories at dyerfh.com.