Rhett Paul Bunch, 79, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at home on April 11, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 2, 1943, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at Our Lady Of The Lake. Rhett graduated from Catholic High in 1961 and received a BS in Industrial Technology at LSU in 1966. He loved hunting, fishing, cajun cooking and cajun dancing, tailgating and supporting LSU football and baseball. He had a legendary sense of humor and made genuine friendships wherever he went. Rhett always went out of his way to help others and cherished spending time with his family and friends, who affectionately referred to him as Bubba, Jackrabbit, or Mr. Rhett.
Rhett was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Joseph Bunch and Dorothy Millet Bunch; sister, Loretta Anne Bunch; and brother-in-law Thomas Noser. He is survived by his wife, Judith Hornaday Bunch; his children, Lauren Bunch, Jason Bunch (Hannah), Shane Bunch, and Brandon Bunch (Erin); four grandchildren, Rhys, Bonnie, Barrett, and Bo; his sister Roberta Noser; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Susan Hornaday; and his numerous nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces.
Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society or St. Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church on Friday, May 5th at 11:00 a.m. (10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. visitation). A reception will be held afterward.
9 comments
Ted Layson
May 4, 2023 at 10:28 pm
RIP Rhett. Truly a great friend that I met tailgating. Great sense of humor and a all around great friend that I shall miss. Prayers for his family.
Emily Wascome
April 26, 2023 at 3:20 pm
So very sorry to hear of Rhett’s passing. He was so fun to be around and I have great memories of hanging with all of the Bunches! Prayers for peace and comfort.
Wendi Scharwath
April 25, 2023 at 9:12 pm
I had the privilege of caring for Mr. Bunch here at the Cancer Center as one of his nurses. He made me laugh & Smile and told me some new ways to make some dishes. Never thought about boiling brisket in crab boil (shoot I think that is what he said lol) before cooking it. There were a few things he told me to try. He made good cookies too, which we were grateful for and enjoyed! Just talking to him I knew how much his family and wife meant to him. I also know he was a man of faith and would be at peace with death when the day would come. My heart breaks knowing that day already came and he won’t be able to get to know his grandbaby that he was so excited to meet but I know he’ll be watching over his family from the best seat around and patiently waiting for his family to join him when their time comes. Sending lots of love and prayers to the family. Rest Easy Mr. Rhett, you will always have a special place in my heart.
Roy HART
April 22, 2023 at 5:55 pm
What a great time we had with neighbors from shenandoah, in the YMCA indian princess program. All the other dads and daughters were cooking hot dogs, while Rhett was frying up blacken red fish. Interested onlookers came from all of the camp site. So GOOD. We will miss you.
Carl Gauthier
April 20, 2023 at 10:55 pm
I grew up with Rhett. We use to live on Hollywood St and Rhett at that time was going as Bubba and as kids we played outside all the time. Our favorite game was marbles. Bubba was good at marbles and always had a good collection. Sometimes we would trade marbles but if he had a nice unusual crystal marble I would have to give him 3 of mine for the trade. When we got into our teens we would lift weights together. We also trade comic books. Bubba always had a good collection of comic books. We had a great time playing back then as kids.. Gonna miss you Bubba…
Jefferson Preston
April 18, 2023 at 12:50 am
Rhett and I worked together at Texas Instruments in the 70’s and became good friends. He was the godfather of our oldest daughter, Holly. We enjoyed fly fishing and cookouts. He was a fantastic cook and was constantly demonstrating his mastery of Cajun cooking both here in Texas and later in South Carolina where he was famous for his tailgating food at the Clemson football games.
He was one of those special people that could make anyone Laugh and was always smiling and joking. I’m certain He’s cooking Gumbo in the hereafter.
My sincere condolences go out to Judy and family.
Jose & Gloria Gonzalez
April 17, 2023 at 10:06 pm
Judith,
Gloria and I were not aware of this loss, a great loss, until Ashley told us today.. Accept our sincere sorrow for his departure and we pray for his soul and healing for all of you. May God Bless him and grant you and the children Healing at this sad moment
Linda “Babe” Smith
April 17, 2023 at 2:37 am
Judy and family, my love, prayers and thoughts are with all of you! May the Good Lord be with you and your family as you learn to deal with this great loss! He was special!!!!
Donald Wall
April 16, 2023 at 5:21 pm
Reat in peace my fiend. I will always remember the good times we had over the years.