Gary Lee Bunn was born in 1934 and graduated from Barboursville High School in 1952. He went on to attend West Virginia University on a football scholarship and played in the 1954 Sugar Bowl. After college, Bunn stayed involved in football by officiating West Virginia high school football for 32 years. He joined the military in 1957 and retired after 32 years with the rank of Colonel 06.
Bunn served as director of planning for the City of Huntington from 1967 to 1989. His knowledge of municipal government, comprehensive planning and zoning enabled him to be a valuable resource for developers to plan subdivisions within the city. His achievements and contributions to the city included developing plans for Harris Riverfront Park, recommending building of adequate housing for the elderly, and changing 14th Street West to Old Central City.
During 1977-78, he was appointed as acting city manager. He reorganized city government and successfully negotiated three union contracts. He also recommended the establishment of a Wall of Fame for the City of Huntington at the new Civic Center and changing 2nd Avenue to Veterans Memorial Boulevard.
Bunn was elected to the Cabell County Commission in 1992 and served as president from 1997-99. He proposed and initiated many projects to enhance the quality of living for residents throughout Cabell County as well as saving the taxpayers money.
Bunn served two terms as a member of the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District from 1999 to 2010. He also was elected to City Council in 1989 and again in 2012. Other civic interests throughout his career included the YMCA Board of Directors, Elks Lodge, Tri-State Airport Authority, KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission, HADCO, Huntington Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge 11 and American Legion Post 16.
