More detail on this person: Joe Ed Bunton, from
Palestine, Texas passed away on April 26th, 2013
at the age of 65 from Cancer. He was in helicopter
flight class 71-8. He joined the Army in 1970, and
resigned in 1984 as a Major after 14 years of
service. I'm not sure what years he was in
Vietnam, but it was in the early 70's. I also know
that he was in the 1st Cavalry Division then. I
only knew him just a few short years, but he was
very active in the community, and very proud of
his Army Service. I do not know if he was a member
of the VHPA or not! I know a few years ago he
wasn't, and made the comment that he should join.
Anyway, I just thought you would like to know. I
have his complete obituary if you would like to
have a copy of it. Thank you, and ALL VHPA
members for your service. From: Michael Parker
Elkhart This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site:
04/13/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Joe Ed Bunton, 65, passed away on April 26th,
2013 at his home in Palestine, Texas. Joe Ed was
born on April, 17, 1948 in Palestine, Texas to
Carl and Mary Alice Bobbitt Bunton.
Joe Ed grew up in Palestine, Texas. He graduated
from Palestine High School in 1966. After high
school he enlisted in the Army in 1970 and served
for 14-plus years. He fought in the Vietnam War
and was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal,
Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Medal with Numerals 12, Good Conduct Medal,
National Defense Service Medal, Army Services
Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnam Service
Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Armed Forces
Reserve Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign
Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Army Aviator
Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, and Vietnamese
Cross of Gallantry Palm. He resigned in 1984,
after achieving the rank of Major and earning a
Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics.
After the Army he began work for Allstate
Insurance as an Insurance Agent. He then went into
the oil field business working for Grey Wolf for
15 years and then Tesco for five years. He started
working for Lone Star College in 2011 until
present as the Director of Oil & Gas.
Joe Ed married Phillis Ann Harden on Aug. 24,
1968 in Palestine, Texas. They were happily
married for 44 years. Joe was a member of Trinity
Valley Community Church. He was passionate
about his family, his country and being able to
help others through his work.
Was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and
Mary Alice Bunton; and niece, Wendy E. Bunton
He is survived by his brother, Bill and wife
Evelyn Bunton; spouse, Phillis Ann Bunton of
Palestine; his daughters, Shannon Desha Adams,
Mellissa Ann Bunton, Jo Anne Calverley and
Amanda Bunton Trevino; son in-laws, Randy
Adams, Bubba Campbell, Donald Calverley and
Lonnie Trevino Jr. Grandchildren are: Shane
Bradley Calverley, Kirsten Desha Price, Danielle
Elizabeth Adams, Trey Campbell, Alexandra Nicole
Adams, William Hunter Calverley, Savannah Marie
Campbell, Laura Ashley Calverley, Samuel Isaiah
Adams, Madison Elise Calverley, Genna Marie
Adams and Caitlynn Isabella Adams.
Great-grandchild is Gavin Hunter Adams.
A funeral service will be held at Dogwood Hills
Baptist Church, 3400 N. U.S. 79, Palestine, Texas,
75801 at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2013. Burial
will follow at Roselawn Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers and to acknowledge Joe Ed's
commitment to educating tomorrow's workforce, the
family requests that donations be made to:
The Lone Star College Foundation, 5000 Research
Forest Dr., The Woodlands, Texas 77381 and
designated for the Joe Ed Bunton Memorial
Scholarship. Additional information at
832.813.6636.
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Attn: Sarcoma
Center 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, Texas
77030, in memory of Joe Ed Bunton.
The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111
University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701 in memory of
Joe Ed Bunton.