Editorial: Bunker's well-rounded life is worth emulating

The life of Berkeley Bunker, a Las Vegas pioneer who died last week, serves in many ways as a metaphor for the rise of Las Vegas. Born in 1906 on a farm in St. Thomas (a small community that was submerged by Lake Mead after the completion of Boulder Dam), in the 1920s Bunker moved to Las Vegas, which in those days had just a few thousand residents.

But Bunker saw this small, dusty town develop into the economic hub of Nevada and the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the nation. Along the way, Bunker was a successful businessman who co-founded Bunker Mortuary. He also gave back to his community through public service. Bunker was elected to three terms as a member of the Nevada Legislature, including serving as Assembly speaker. In 1940 Bunker was the first Southern Nevadan to become a U.S. senator; later he was elected to the U.S. House.

But life to him was more than just politics and business. He understood the importance of family and faith, a Mormon who held a number of leadership positions in the church. Despite capturing some of the most prized political offices, Bunker kept a level head and was true to his roots. If current and future leaders would emulate Berkeley Bunker's well-rounded life, they could help make this valley a better place to live.

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