John "Carol" Bunch

John Carol Bunch, a dedicated family man, entrepreneur, and lifelong Arkansan, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 29, 2026, in Rogers, AR, at the age of 95. He was born on July 4, 1930, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to William Leo and Ida Johnson Bunch. He liked to say, “all of America celebrates my birthday”. 

In the early 1930s, the family relocated from Idaho back to Arkansas, settling on a farm south of Berryville where Carol and his siblings were raised. He was a proud member of the Green Forest High School Class of 1948. From a young age, Carol demonstrated a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit. At just 16, he and his brother Vernon purchased their first truck and began hauling various goods to earn a living. When asked about his first dollar, Carol would recount picking wild blackberries on the family farm with Vernon and selling them in Berryville for 25 cents a gallon. This habit of diligence led to his lifelong philosophy: “If you take care of the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves.”

Carol established a career as a self-employed truck driver, primarily operating 18-wheelers. Alongside his brother Vernon, he traveled the highways and crop fields, logging more than 2 million miles across Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond. He often shared colorful tales from the road, including a memorable delivery of potatoes to a far-northern chip factory—an experience that led him to avoid potato chips for many years after. Carol was known for his friendly nature and never met a stranger; he even ran into an acquaintance as far away as the Panama Canal. One of his favorite stories was about going to lunch with JB Hunt in Stuttgart, Arkansas, in his Studebaker, long before Mr. Hunt built his trucking empire.

In 1949, Carol married the love of his life, Dolly Mae Garrison, whom he met at the historic Ozark Cafe on the Berryville square. The newlyweds initially moved to Albany, Missouri, to work at Carol’s uncle’s saw mill. After several years, they returned to Berryville and purchased the family farm from his siblings. It was there that Carol and Dolly raised their children, and the farm proudly remains in the family today.

Carol loved the Lord and dedicated his heart to Jesus in the early 1980s. He was a faithful attendee of Towering Oaks Church in Berryville before he and Dolly moved to an assisted living facility in Rogers, Arkansas.

Carol was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Dolly; his brothers, Vernon and Bill; and his sister, Juanita Barnes.

He is survived by his five devoted children: son Russell and his wife Dena; daughter Karilyn and her husband Bill Moeller; son John and his wife Cathy; son Stanley and his wife Brenda; and daughter Zandra and her husband Chris Mangrum. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren, of whom he was immensely proud: Katrenia, Matt, Shara, Jonathan, Renee, Shawn, Alicia, Amanda, Nathan, Hannah, and 17 great-grandchildren, with another expected soon. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Ruby Bunch and Johnnie Bunch, his brother-in-law, Don Garrison, nephews, nieces, and a host of friends. 

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am, February 13, 2026, at Moore Cemetery in Berryville, AR. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Carol’s honor to Gideon's International, P.O. Box 362, Berryville, AR 72616 and Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762

Online condolences can be made at smithfamilyfuneralhome.net.

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