Bert T. Dunken, 88, of Montgomery, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 1, 2016. He was born on October 11, 1928 in Mart, Texas to Lee Renfro Dunken and Cora Tarrant.

Bert was a star football player for the Mart Panthers during his high school years. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps when he was just 17 and proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps at the end of World War II and during the Korean War.

Bert met the love of his life, Peggy, when he moved to Houston to go to the University of Houston on the GI Bill. Bert and Peggy were engaged within a week of dating and married less than six months later. Bert was 20 and Peggy just 18. It was a marriage that lasted more than 67 years and he loved her as much on the day he died as on the day he married her. It was truly a storybook romance that lasted a lifetime.

Bert studied Industrial Engineering and got his first corporate job with TESCO as a purchasing agent. Through the 50's, 60's and 70's, Bert rose in his responsibilities and ultimately was Senior Vice President with Creole Production Services and President of Creole International. During these years, Bert became a Freemason and was loyal for more than 60 years to his Lodge and its causes. He rose to become a 33rd degree Mason through his training and loyalty. Bert was also appointed as Worthy Patron the Calvert chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Terry was born in 1951 and raised as an only child until they were blessed with the adoption of Michelle into the family in 1964. Bert and Peggy were always active in their children's activities. They put all their energy into Terry's baseball activities and Bert was president of Westbury American Little League and Peggy was president of the Booster Club more than once. They were active in all Westbury activities and supported Michelle in her acting and other school activities and hobbies she pursued.

Bert got sick with diverticulitis in the early 80's and after his recovery retired early from the corporate world. After their children, Terry and Michelle, had graduated from high school, Bert and Peggy started a new adventure and moved to Calvert, Texas, where Bert sold real estate and ran his thriving lead soldier mail order business. They also opened two antique stores and became pillars of the community. Bert served as Mayor of Calvert for several terms and was appointed as Justice of the Peace for Calvert in the early 90's.

Bert and Peggy decided to move closer to their roots (Peggy grew up in Willis) and came to Montgomery County in Bentwater in 2002. They quickly made lots of new friends and became a part of the community fabric once again. In these later years, Bert and Peggy were always up for family gatherings and friendly bridge and poker games. It was great to be back home again and close to Peggy's sister, Kaye, and long-time friends.

Bert and Peggy remained in Bentwater until earlier this year when they moved into a lovely assisted living facility in Sugar Land to be near Terry and his wife, Sherri, so they could receive any help they may need as Bert grew weaker from the Myasthenia Gravis he had endured for close to 20 years.

In his last days, Bert enjoyed life as much as ever and had a wonderful 88th birthday celebration three weeks ago. Bert loved his family and was blessed to be able see everyone in these last few weeks before he passed. Until the day he died, he was writing little love notes to Peggy like the starry-eyed boy that he always was for her. An example (KBMO): translated - Kiss Bert More Often.

Bert was a member of First United Methodist Church in Willis, Texas and had a deep and loving relationship with his Maker. Bert is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Peggy; son Terry Dunken and wife Sherri; daughter Michelle Smith and husband Claude; grandchildren Jackson and Carter Smith; sister-in-law Kaye Stripling; close extended family including Lucy Simonton and nieces, nephews, and loyal friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 4, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Funeral Directors in Conroe, Texas. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Willis Texas, officiated by Dr. Nathan Hodge. A Christian Burial will take place at the Willis Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation at myasthenia.org