Roll Call Tribute
James Dunn '55 August 12, 2015 10:52 AM updated: August 12, 2015 10:56 AM
Thomason Funeral Home obituary
2001 Ranch Road 12
San Marcos, TX 78667
(512) 396-2300
Fax: (512) 396-2391
James Anderson Dunn
Born in Commerce, TX on Apr. 16, 1927
Departed on Jul. 18, 2015 and resided in San Marcos, TX.
Service: Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2015
Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.
James Dunn was born April 16, 1927 in Commerce, TX and passed away peacefully at age 88 on July 18, 2015 in San Marcos, TX.
Early in life, James learned the value of hard work, helping his parents manage a farm. But his destiny lay elsewhere when the Depression caused his family to move to New London where he excelled in academics, music and athletics.
Following high school, he enlisted in the Navy to become a "radio man" but the war ended before he saw active service. Soon after, he received an offer to try out for a minor league baseball team as a knuckleball pitcher, but instead, decided to enroll at Stephen F. Austin to study music. Fate would intervene and with 15 music credits remaining, he decided to marry his beloved Nelda in 1951. So instead of music, James switched careers and graduated in 1955 from Texas A&M with a degree in electrical engineering. Soon after graduation, he began a career with Phillips 66 and retired at the age of 58 with 30 years of service.
James loved music. He played trombone for big bands and toured as far away as Chicago. James loved football and was quarterback throughout high school. James loved baseball and had a walk-on offer to play professionally. Ultimately, he chose family and the stability of an engineering career, but never far behind was a passion for music and athletics that he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
Whether coaching little league, directing the church choir, staying up late to help with homework, playing bridge, bowling, golfing, gardening he was an example to all of patience, self-sacrifice, hard work, and integrity. Always looking for new interests, following retirement, he became a great cook, even if measurements and chopped ingredients had to meet to exact engineering standards.
He leaves behind a family that will miss him greatly.
An only son, James was preceded in death by Henry Grady Dunn and Mary Angeline Pepper Dunn. He leaves behind his loving wife, Nelda, daughter Norma, son Darryl and his wife Yolanda, daughter Martha and her husband Jim Mechalakos, two grandchildren, Mary and Andy, cousin Dorothy Ingram, and many friends.
2001 Ranch Road 12
San Marcos, TX 78667
(512) 396-2300
Fax: (512) 396-2391
James Anderson Dunn
Born in Commerce, TX on Apr. 16, 1927
Departed on Jul. 18, 2015 and resided in San Marcos, TX.
Service: Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2015
Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.
James Dunn was born April 16, 1927 in Commerce, TX and passed away peacefully at age 88 on July 18, 2015 in San Marcos, TX.
Early in life, James learned the value of hard work, helping his parents manage a farm. But his destiny lay elsewhere when the Depression caused his family to move to New London where he excelled in academics, music and athletics.
Following high school, he enlisted in the Navy to become a "radio man" but the war ended before he saw active service. Soon after, he received an offer to try out for a minor league baseball team as a knuckleball pitcher, but instead, decided to enroll at Stephen F. Austin to study music. Fate would intervene and with 15 music credits remaining, he decided to marry his beloved Nelda in 1951. So instead of music, James switched careers and graduated in 1955 from Texas A&M with a degree in electrical engineering. Soon after graduation, he began a career with Phillips 66 and retired at the age of 58 with 30 years of service.
James loved music. He played trombone for big bands and toured as far away as Chicago. James loved football and was quarterback throughout high school. James loved baseball and had a walk-on offer to play professionally. Ultimately, he chose family and the stability of an engineering career, but never far behind was a passion for music and athletics that he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
Whether coaching little league, directing the church choir, staying up late to help with homework, playing bridge, bowling, golfing, gardening he was an example to all of patience, self-sacrifice, hard work, and integrity. Always looking for new interests, following retirement, he became a great cook, even if measurements and chopped ingredients had to meet to exact engineering standards.
He leaves behind a family that will miss him greatly.
An only son, James was preceded in death by Henry Grady Dunn and Mary Angeline Pepper Dunn. He leaves behind his loving wife, Nelda, daughter Norma, son Darryl and his wife Yolanda, daughter Martha and her husband Jim Mechalakos, two grandchildren, Mary and Andy, cousin Dorothy Ingram, and many friends.
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