Barbara Lynn Cromar Bunker, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, auntie, and loyal friend returned to the arms of cherished loved ones the morning of Sunday, October 29, 2023. Though struggling with various medical issues for years, her unexpected passing was sudden but peaceful, and surrounded by family.
Barbara was born on October 8, 1942, to W. Lynn Cromar & Barbara Dowding in Salt Lake City, Utah. Although deeply loved by her parents, Barbara’s early life was defined by her parents’ divorce in 1945. Following the divorce, Barbara was primarily raised by her daddy and his second wife Winona LeiLeihua Andrade Cromar. She loved growing up with her little brother Jerry, and two little sisters, Kathy and Karen. She lived with them until Lynn’s untimely passing in 1953 when Barbara was 10.
After a brief period following Lynn’s death, Barbara was ultimately adopted by her paternal grandparents, Herbert & Sarah Cromar. Grandma and Grandpa Cromar raised her during her teenage and early adulthood years. She graduated from Olympus High School in 1960. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Home Economics & Child Development from the University of Utah.
Barbara loved her grandparents. She based how to live the rest of her life on what they instilled in her.
Without question, Barbara’s crowning joy in life is her family. Her marriage to Alan W. Bunker took place on August 29, 1966 in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Alan and Barbara built their relationship and family on strong foundations of devoted friendship, romance, and most importantly, Christlike love. It was this type of love that helped them navigate the occasional rocky shoals of married life and enabled them to see the magnificence in the ordinary. They loved to travel together around the United States, Europe, and Israel. They also loved their Friday night dates sharing a Subway sandwich and watching trains. Alan enjoyed pushing Barbara’s buttons to elicit a sassy and often hilarious response. Barbara adored Alan’s tenderness, devotion to their children, and kindness to her. Theirs has been a happy marriage.
Barbara and Alan are the parents of four children: Jennifer, Jill, Melissa, and Matthew. Barbara’s love for her children is intense, even palpable. After all, Barbara is, first and foremost, a mother. Barbara could not go one day without reminding her children that they were loved. Her love will last for generations.
Barbara’s primary career was her family. Until starting her family she worked as a Flight Attendant for Western Airlines. When her children were in school she worked at Ensign Elementary where she could purposely align her at-home schedule with the schedules of her children. Barbara loved being with the school children where she could serve them and assist with their learning process. In later years, Barbara worked for one of the family businesses, Spectrum Field Services, where she was the office manager.
Barbara was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in various ward and stake capacities over the years but particularly enjoyed two callings. For many years she served as a teacher in the Primary organization of the Church. More than anything else, she loved being with and teaching children. For nearly a decade Barbara served in hospital callings–first in the Relief Society Presidency at the LDS Hospital Branch, and later as a companion to her husband as they served together at the Salt Lake Regional Medical Center Branch for nearly 6 years.
Barbara’s legacy is love, and her love extended to all who met her. Those in her Salt Lake Avenues neighborhood where she and Alan lived the majority of their lives were special beneficiaries of Barbara’s “eternal friendship.” Barbara’s love was instant and deep. It was not uncommon for her to meet a stranger at a fabric store, a supermarket, or at a random pub in England, and within 20 minutes they had become good friends.
Barbara’s love was genuine and enduring. During her years at Spectrum Field Services, she became a proxy mother and a lifelong friend to many of its employees and business partners. When she traveled with Alan to business conferences, industry colleagues made it a point to spend time catching up with and feeling loved by Barbara.
Barbara is survived by her husband Alan W. Bunker, daughters Jennifer Lynn Record (Jerry), Jill Suzann Pilkington (Tom), and Melissa Anne Bunker; son Alan Matthew Bunker (Jacqueline); grandchildren J. Camille Newbold (Nathaniel), Jacob Record (AuLora), Jadon Record, Emily Sandberg (Nicolas), Thomas Pilkington (Mattilyn), Suzann Pilkington, Jackson Bunker, William Bunker, Kathleen Bunker, and Elizabeth Bunker; great-grandchildren Adelyn Newbold, James Newbold, Samuel Newbold, KyRee Record, T. Hudson Pilkington, and Millie Pilkington; brother Jerry Hemming and sisters Katherine Fillmore and Karen Johnson.
Barbara is preceded in death by her father W. Lynn Cromar, mother Barbara Law Dowding Holmes; sister Christine Holmes Woolaway; brother Earl Emerson Holmes Jr.; sister/aunt Lois Jean Cromar Hintze Prince; grandparents Herbert Lang Cromar, Sarah Elizabeth Bytheway Cromar, Arthur Dowding, and Jennie Margareet Law Dowding.
All are invited to attend the formal viewing and funeral service honoring Barbara.
The viewing will be Friday, November 10, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111.
The funeral service will be Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 11:00 am. The service will be at the Emigration Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 589 East 18th Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84103. There will be a viewing before the funeral from 9:30-10:30 a.m. For those unable to attend, services will be streamed via Zoom. Please click on the watch services link above.
Interment will follow the services at the North Plat of the Salt Lake City Cemetery, which is located at 945 East 11th Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to LDS Humanitarian Services, where funds provide aid to people around the world without regard to cultural or religious affiliation.
Sending love and prayers and comfort from your Family in Las Vegas. What a beautiful amazing Woman I am so honored that I met you and thank you for always being so kind to Brandon and I and our Children. We will miss you so much and pray for your Husband and Family during this time. We love you!
All the Bunkers know how I felt about you Mom/Wife.
She was one of a kind and kept AB on his toes for many years with lasting memories.
I am so sorry she has left us in body but she will always be in our hearts and minds.
A very, very special lady.
She was always lovely, always gracious, always kind.
My sweet Aunt Barbara was such an amazing and special person. She will truly be missed and will always have a special place in my heart. I'll always remember her kind and sincere demeanor. And, I'll always cherish the memories of the many wonderful family get-togethers, especially for Christmas clam chowder, we enjoyed at their home.
I love you!
My sweet Aunt Barbara was such an amazing and special person. She will truly be missed and will always have a special place in my heart. I'll always remember her kind and sincere demeanor. And, I'll always cherish the memories of the many wonderful family get-togethers, especially for Christmas clam chowder, we enjoyed at their home.
I love you!
Your mother’s obituary is a wonderful tribute. I can attest to your mother’s capacity to love and acknowledge everyone. My final moment with your mother was as she was leaving the office with your dad last week. As I was saying good night, she noticed the young Hispanic man who cleans the office. He does not speak English well, so she greeted him with all the Spanish words she knew. It brought a smile to his face (and mine). She had the natural ability to see and treat everyone as her friend. She was always kind and good to me. I have been privileged to have had a long association with your family. I will miss my little visits with your dear mother.
Barbara was an angel. Not just because of that beautiful hair color but because of the love and joy she brought with her. She accepted me for me and she made sure I knew it. I pray for healing and for the family. She will live forever in your hearts and memories.
My sincere condolences 🙏
Rest in peace.
Alan, you are a lucky man, as were the students you both served in the 24th Singles Branch. Barbara was so hospitable and kind. She set a high bar. We mourn with those that mourn.
We knew them as Bunks & Barbs. We all graduated from the U of U in 1966 & were married that same year. Then we headed to Oakland, California & ended up in the same apartment building. Barbs had their twins & six months later we had twins. The landlady wondered if those Utah Mormons always had twins. We bought an old fixer-upper and a few months later the Bunkers moved in next door. When the babies were sleeping we would sneak over at night to play cards. They moved to Utah first, it took us 50 years to come back, but we always kept in contact. We loved seeing the Bunkers & spending time sharing stories of our crazy adventures. Barbs & Bunks were so good to my mother when they were serving at the Hospital. We love you & all our fun times together! *Twinkle & Shine*. The Palfreymans
Barbara will be missed. Remember the good times to get through the sad times.
Dearest Bunker Family - I send my love and deepest sympathy at this tender time. Barbara was a jewel we cannot forget. She has always been so kind and truly interested in all those around her. It was very evident to those who knew her that her entire life was centered in Jesus Christ. She lived His teachings every day of her life. It was a blessing to know and love her. May the Lord comfort you until you all meet her again in the Kingdom of our Heavenly Father.
I am so sorry for the loss of Barbara, she was the sweetest soul when I worked at Spectrum and always have a smile on her face.
May you Rest In Beautiful Paradise, Barbara and watch over your Family and loved ones.
I am truly sorry for your loss.
I met Barbara many times and the NAMFS conferences and she was always in such a good mood that it made everyone else feel good.
I was glad we were able to come to Salt Lake City for the conference one year and I know she was proud to be the host along with Spectrum.
She will be missed.
My sincere condolences to the Bunker family. Please know that you are all in my thoughts. Barbara will be deeply missed.
We are so grateful to have known such an amazing women. She has left her mark on many in this lifetime and our thoughts, prayers and love go out to your family that endure until we meet again. Much love.
Barbara was truly an earth angel, there's no doubt in my mind she gained her wings when she walked through those pearly gates. Her sincere kindness, genuine compassion & unconditional love spread everywhere she went, will undoubtedly be missed. I'll never forget how well she treated everyone, just because. She was the "Mother Goose" of Spectrum. I pray that her love & light carries on with each life she touched, as she will always have a special place in my heart
Sending my sincerest condolences & warmest sympathy to the Bunker family. 💞
My Auntie Barbara was a constant, loving presence in my life even though I did not get to spend much time with her when I was growing up and living in Hawaii and Virginia. As an adult I am struck by the amount of time, effort, and love she and Uncle Alan shared with me, my brother, and mother, in addition to a busy life full of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and service to the Church. She supported me in so many ways over the years, including traveling to celebrate my wedding as Uncle Alan officiated, and to celebrate a renewal of my vows, and recognizing every important occasion.
Auntie Barbara had a never-ending supply of love for the people in her life. Every conversation I had with her was filled with news about her children and their families with constant expressions of love and pride. During my mother’s later life, her connection to Auntie Barbara helped my mother through many difficult times. My mom told me how wonderful it was that they were such close friends and how special it was to have a loving sister more times than I can count. I am so grateful for the effort and love that Auntie Barbara gave my mother and for her support of my brother after the passing of my parents.
A concrete example of the energy and time Auntie Barbara gave her loved ones is the tied quilt that she and Jill made for me as a wedding gift. Now I understand how much effort it takes to wrap and mail a gift, but my aunt and cousin took the extra time and made me something beautiful. The quilt is almost 30-years old and is still on my bed every night. That is how Auntie Barbara’s love was, steadfast, ever present, and comforting.
Auntie Barbara and I had some serious conversations and some of these were tear filled discussions that were hard. However, Auntie Barbara always found a way to make me laugh and to laugh herself. Most of her stories were filled with love and laughter. A recent example was when she told me that Uncle Alan forced her to keep working and going into the office. We laughed and she obviously loved that they worked together and had that time with each other. I have never seen two people so in love and the best of friends after so many years together.
I am not able to bring to mind the voices of family members who have passed away with the happy exception of Auntie Barbara’s laugh. I am so lucky to have many warm memories of her, the quilt as a physical reminder of Auntie Barbara’s love, and in the midst of so much grief, to still hear her laugh.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Barbara was a true joy and made everyone feel loved. She will be missed.
I am sending my condolences to the family. Barbara was one of my favorites when I worked for Spectrum. I sure missed her smile and encouraging words. She would always ask me how my boys were doing. She was a ray of sunshine, and just a wonderful soul a true Angel!
I met Barbara during the school year 1963-64 when I worked as the attendant at the E-Z AutoPark, located across from Temple Square where the conference center now stands. I came to work about 12:45, and shortly thereafter she would drive in looking for a parking spot. Over the course of the year we had several occasions to chat before she had to hurry off to work.
We found that we were in similar circumstances so far as school was concerned, both planning on graduating in June 1965. We talked a lot about future plans, social life, the Church, etc. I had just returned from my mission to Germany in March 1963, and I shared a lot about those treasured experiences.
I recall that one day she visited me at my home, and we sat out on the back lawn talking with another friend of mine, a fellow history major named Terry Bringhurst. Terry was married, so he added his perspective into our lively conversation.
I lost track of Barbara after that year; I don’t recall if we actually marched together in the Spring Commencement 1965.
But, I have many times wondered what became of her. Now I know. I am so glad that she had a happy, productive and service-oriented life. I would have enjoyed knowing her in her later life. She looks very elegant in the photograph which I’m sure captures some of her inner qualities as well.
I went on to graduate school in Iowa and Germany, and retired from BYU in 2015 after teaching there for 41 years.
I greatly appreciated knowing Barbara, if only for those few short months. My sincere condolences to her family. I know the sorrow which accompanies a death, having just buried my older brother three weeks ago, after a very short and sudden illness.
May the Lord continue to bless and comfort you all.
Reunions will be sweet!