Melvin 'Mel' Bunyea, 82

Melvin “Mel” Bunyea passed away at his home in Santa Maria, California, on July 9, 2017.
He was preceded in death by his father Vern Bunyea, his mother Grace Hellen (Buck), and his brothers Vern Bunyea and LeRoy Bunyea.
He is survived by a brother Eugene Bunyea of Bigfork, sister Nancy Fryer of Hillsboro, Oregon, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was born Dec. 14, 1934, in Kalispell, and educated in Kalispell. He worked in lumber mills in Yaak, as well as working in hospitals in Kalispell and later Santa Maria. He eventually went to work for Union Oil in Santa Maria and remained with them for 33 years as well as six years at Rem-brandt. He loved to travel, have coffee at Denny’s, steaks at the Hitching Post, tell jokes, win big at the casino, and was a friend and mentor to so many. He was greatly loved and will be missed.
He was a member of St. Louis de Montfort in Orcutt, California, and will be buried next to his mother in the family plot in Creston. His wish was to not have a service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice in his name or to his favorite charity, Father Flanagan at Boys Town.