James "Morrell" Bunn, 88, died peacefully at home on January 24, 2017. Morrell was born on August 24, 1928 in Lanark, Idaho to his parents, Sarah Ruth Poulsen Bunn and Ernest King Bunn, the second of their four children. Morrell and his family lived there until he was about nine years old. The family relocated to Ontario, Oregon where his family lived on an island on the Snake River and attended school in Ontario until his junior year. Morrell's family moved to Nyssa, Oregon shortly thereafter, and he attended Nyssa High School for his senior year. After completing high school, Morrell attended Brigham Young University in 1947, majoring in accounting. Following a semester of college, Morrell served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern California Mission for two years. For nineteen months of those two years, he served without purse or scrip, relying on the kindness of others to obtain food and lodging. While it was challenging, he loved his mission and took advantage of this time to teach the gospel and serve others. After coming home from his mission, Morrell returned to BYU for a short period of time before he was drafted to serve in the Korean Conflict. Since he was a student, he had the option to enlist rather than be drafted, so he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a clerk. He was sent to boot camp in Valdosta, GA and after his basic training, was sent to Victorville, CA. Where he was discharged and returned home shortly after. Upon returning from his military assignment, Morrell was employed by the Desert Seed Company in Nyssa circa 1952. He and his sweetheart, Janeel Fife, began dating in late 1954, and were engaged by the next summer. Morrell and Janeel were married in July of 1955 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Morrell and Jan had five children: Randy, Jeff, Mark, Lorell, and Dean. Morrell left Desert Seed Company to run a farm in Kuna, Idaho, while Jan ran a restaurant in Boise with Morrell's brother and sister-in-law. Morrell and his family raised sugar beets, corn, and hay, and had pigs and chickens as well. In 1971, Morrell and his family sold the farm and restaurant, and relocated to Nampa, Idaho, where he lived out the remainder of his days. He took a job as an Office Manager at Northrup King Seed Company in Nampa, which was eventually bought out by Harris Moran in 1986. That same year, he was let go from that job, and went in search of other work to provide for his family. A year or so later, he started a screen printing business with his oldest son, Randy. They had kiosks in two shopping malls in the valley and enjoyed the success of that business until Morrell retired in 1995. Morrell and Jan took full advantage of their retirement by taking trips to the Oregon Coast, spending winters in Arizona, and enjoying time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in McCall. Morrell had a travel trailer and then an RV that he and Jan enjoyed taking on camping trips. He was also an avid gardener who spent many hours growing food for his family to eat and plants and flowers to adorn his home. He was a wonderful and caring dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa who loved spending time with his family. In addition to their five children, Morrell and Jan were blessed with 24 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He set a wonderful example by filling all callings received within the LDS church, and showing that the true way to be happy was through helping others. We will miss him dearly. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 28, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 11288 Roosevelt Avenue in Nampa with a viewing to be held from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. A private family interment will take place at Hilltop Cemetery in Nyssa, Oregon at a later time.
Add comment