Past Grand Commander’s Profile

Unto God give the glory!

S. M. Bunn

Home Commandery:   Waco No. 10
Year Served:   1946
Born:   February 17th, 1897
Died:   March 8th, 1979

1946 Officer Corps

Sir Knight S. M. BunnRight Eminent Grand Commander
Sir Knight Vance K. MillerVery Eminent Deputy Grand Commander
Sir Knight S. Van WieEminent Grand Generalissimo
Sir Knight Tom J. MeltonEminent Grand Captain General
Sir Knight R. B. CowdenEminent Grand Senior Warden
Sir Knight T. M. BethellEminent Grand Junior Warden
Sir Knight John A. StoutEminent Grand Prelate
Sir Knight Austin E. ClarksonEminent Grand Treasurer
Sir Knight Thomas M. BartleyEminent Grand Recorder
Sir Knight Claud CrossEminent Grand Standard Bearer
Sir Knight H. B. BryantEminent Grand Sword Bearer
Sir Knight Nat PaceEminent Grand Warder
Sir Knight Victor C. WhitfieldEminent Grand Sentinel

Biographical text provided by Gary Bulter, Sir Knight Simon’s grandson-in-law:

Simon Milford Bunn, Born 2-17-1897, died March 8, 1979; buried in Waco, Texas, Rosemound Cemetery.

He was past master of J.H. Gurley Lodge No. 337, past high priest of Waco Chapter No. 45, past illustrious master of Waco Council No. 33 and past commander of Waco Commandery No. 10, Knights Templar. He was also past grand commander of Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Texas, and a 33rd-degree honorary Scottish Rite Mason. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Waco, where he was a former chairman of the board of deacons.

Simon was retired president and board chairman of Alamo Steel and Machine Co. He was an accountant with A.C. Upleger and Co. and Waco-Brazos Boiler Works before purchasing an interest in Alamo Boiler and Sheet Metal Works in 1926. The plant added a machine shop, foundry and steel fabricating plant over the next 20 years, and was re-named Alamo Steel and Machine Co. He also served as president of Alamo Machine and Supply Co., Alamo Advertising Co., Bunn and Harris General Tire Co., Cannon and Griffis General Tire Co., and Boys Town Inc.

Simon served on the Waco Independent School District’s board of trustees in the 1930s and 1940s. He also served as chairman of the McLennan County Draft Board for 21 years. He was chairman of the board of the American Bank and Hillcrest Baptist Hospital. He also served as the hospitals development fund chairman during two expansion programs.

Simon was a former director of the Waco YMCA, the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, Lighthouse for the Blind, and the State Board of Vocational Education. He had been a director of the United Fund since its inception.

Simon was past president of Eastside Rotary Club. He was honored by the club as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Finally, Simon was active in Little League, Major League and Pony League baseball, constructing and donating the first Northern Little League Baseball field in Cameron Park, Waco.