Owen Woodruff Bunker was born on Bigelow Ranch, known as Magatsu, near Gunlock, Washington County, Utah on September 22, 1902. His parents were William Edward Bunker and Emma Iverson.
He graduated from Millard Academy in 1922 and served an LDS mission in Arkansas. Mr. Bunker was Millard County treasurer for eight years before moving to Salt Lake City in 1937. There, he organized the Owen Bunker and Sons Insurance Agency; was an officer of Western States Refinery Co. (Beeline), subsequently Husky Oil; and was a principal developer of the Oakridge and Willow Creek country clubs. Mr. Bunker later was a founder of American National Bank, a charter member and past president of the Ambassador Athletic Club and a charter member of the Willow Creek Country Club. He also wrote poetry, and his poems were published in local newspapers and LDS publications.