If Ever I Should Leave You - performed by Horton

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - SEPTEMBER 15th
My father performed this song with the Tyler Chamber Chorale a few years ago. I wanted this video to give you a sample of his life and all the people who love him forever.

I saw this license plate last summer and it made my heart skip a beat. Seeing the date, November 10th, use to be a happy day because it meant that it was my mom's birthday. Now, with my daddy being killed by a drunk driver on that same day, the date is a little tough to think about. So, today is the day. It is November 10th again. One year ago, while my mom was at home preparing her birthday tea party, a drunk driver took the life of my father in an instant. I still physically shake my head when thinking about his death. I still can't believe it happened. We all miss him so much and it just seems that it will never be the same without him. My daddy was so sweet and so fun to talk to about anything. He loved his family. And...he still has so many that love him...forever. xoxo

Facebook | Sandra L. Bunch's Photos - Wall Photos

Facebook | Sandra L. Bunch's Photos - Wall Photos
a Stained Glass Window installed in my mom's church in memory of my father.

THE VERDICT

The trial for the drunk driver who was responsible for the death of my father took place from September 28, 2009 - October 2, 2009. The jury began deliberating at 11:10 after closing arguments and at about 12pm we were called back into the courtroom to hear the verdict.
Mr. Upchurch received a guilty verdict for Intoxication Manslaughter and also received a guilty verdict for using a car as a deadly weapon. We are pleased at this verdict because it was the right verdict. It truly was the only right decision and obviously the jury agreed since they returned an apparent unanimous decision so quickly.
The defendant chose to let the judge give him his sentence and so we will not hear what that is until November 13th.
It is nice to have this part of the trial over. It was a lot more difficult that we expected. It is just emotionally draining reliving details we had not heard before regarding my father's injuries, seeing my father's killer every day, and having to endure the defendant's attorneys questions and hypothetical situations that seemed highly improbable to my family.
It was helpful to hear that the jury agreed with us. Now, on to the next step of this journey.....

Poem Written by KENDALL ELBERT (Horton's granddaughter)

This day bears a scar.
An inimitable scar.
It manifests the pattern of the scar mutilating our hearts.
This sullied day signifies nothing else.
It does not bring sympathy, relief, or an antidote.
It only brings forth a humble reminder.
It does not intend to lure an inapprehensive life.
Only the beholders of the scar distinguish this day.
This day brings no cleansing rains or empathizing shadows upon the earth.
It only encumbers us with intrusive light,
Revealing what we do not wish to see.
This relentless day gives us a taste of eternity.
It is able to stand still, unwavering before our eyes.
It erases our seemingly infallible picture of time,
And causes our credulous minds to believe we will forever dwell in November.
This day is greater than us.
It is more omniscient than any day we have seen pass.
For it gave us the deepest scar that has ever blemished our hearts.
This day will loosen its insisting grasp once it sees its desired efficacious gloom in our eyes.
But this day will never cease to return.

kendall elbert, aug 10, 2009

August 10th

Today has been 9 months since my father was killed...Tragically taken away from his loving family. Please DON'T DRINK and DRIVE!

"Tomorrow is never guaranteed to anyone young or old. Today could be the last time to see your loved ones, which is why you musn't wait; do it today, in case tomorrow never arrives. I am sure you will be sorry you wasted the opportunity today to give a smile, a hug a kiss and that you were too busy to grant them their last wish."
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Columbia, Nobel Prize Winner for literature 1982

Say Always What You Feel

By Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Columbia
Nobel Prize Winner for Literature, 1982

Say always what you feel not what you think. If I knew that today is the last time that I am going to see you asleep. I would hug you with all my strength and I would pray to the Lord to let me be the guardian angel of your soul.

There is always tomorrow, and life gives us another opportunity to do things right, but in case I am wrong and today is left to me, I would love to tell you how much I love you and that I will never forget you.

A poem by Slater Alexander Gorham

Part of me is extravagant purple
It's like the happiness of a butterfly taking its first flight
Yet purple is also the happy ending to dreams and fairy tales
But there's another part of me
Part of me is mournful blue
It's like a star falling from its distant planet
It's like loosing someone you love
It's hurtful, but they're both part of me.
Written by Slater, 4th grade - Horton's grandson

Bonnie Jean by Honey

Horton Rainey Bunch

Horton Rainey Bunch was born on September 15, 1934 at 3:45pm. He was born to John Knox Bunch Sr. and Evelyn Anne Bunch in Houston, Texas. I recently came across his baby book and in it his father wrote the following: "Horton called Louis, "Louisy" - called me "my daddy" - Did not like "goaches". Liked Charlie Koffey (McCarthy the Dummy). Very fond of "bills" (grapes). Occasionally had a knee on his trunk. Practically lived on fruits, fruit juices and milk from 12mos to 3 yrs.
Horton would say "Watch "my" do it" (at 2 1/2 yrs).
Horton was very fond of books - sit for an hour and look at a book or magazine.
Jan 17, 1942 - "My family is the sweetest and finest in the world" - I just live to be with them" (written by John Knox Bunch, Sr.)
I cracked up over the "goaches" part! For those of you reading this that cannot not translate that - it means roaches. Our family knew of my dad's aversion to roaches and he passed that dislike on to his daughters..no,let me rephrase that..dislike is not a strong enough word. We are just flat terrified of them!! He would clear the room faster than any of us if one dared enter. :) kara PS Not sure what the "knee on the trunk" referred to..

Jaden's English Project

NOV 10

This blogspot is under production to serve as a memorial blogspot and to post pictures and music of my father that he performed.
My father was suddenly and wrongly taken from our family on Nov 10, 2008 by a drunk driver. Our lives have been in limbo ever since. We ache for that stable and constant love that he provided in our family for so long. He and my mom were married for almost 44 yrs. The selfish intoxicated driver saw to it that we no longer get to celebrate those special occasions with him. In fact, on that day, before he died. He and my mom had a lovely breakfast..omelets, I understand...in celebration of her birthday. Later that day he left for a singing engagement, while my mom prepared for a tea party. Two of her grandchildren were coming over along with a friend to celebrate her birthday. While my mother was placing her beautiful Johnson Bros china on the table, she noticed an unknown car coming up the driveway. That car delivered the unimaginable news that my father had been hit by a car while he was standing outside of his car waiting for oncoming traffic to pass before he got back into his car. He waited for the car to pass...but it aimed straight for him. No chance for him to escape. Sometimes the sadness is overwhelming. I wish I had called one more time...I wish I had called before he left so I could delay his departure from home until that
man had passed by...I wish had been able to join my family the day before at a birthday celebration for my mom as I was at home with a sick little boy. My father gave my mom some beautiful roses the day before her birthday and the most beautiful and touching card.
....When I got to my parent's house later that day after hearing the news... I really didn't even know what happened..what are they talking about..drunk driver? At 1:30 in the afternoon?..we gathered around the table to talk and make phone calls and the beautiful china was sitting there...waiting for tea time..waiting for the promised party. Instead it is untouched! Grief rushed thru me.. The red roses my father had given my mom the day before were so beautiful ...and were in such contrast to the tears and pain that was busting at the seams in that house. No rest, no comfort.
There had been a gentle rain earlier in the day...but that night... it rained and rained and never stopped for about two days. It rained so hard that it seemed to be trying to cleanse our minds, our sadness, ...the road.

So as a tribute to my father, I am working on this blogspot and a few other projects. Details to come soon. Thanks for reading. I am hoping that this site might help my family and me thru this difficult time.
kara