James Michael "Mike" Dunn Sr.

MIKE DUNN
March 17, 1941 – September 14, 2024

JAMES MICHAEL “MIKE” DUNN SR., 83, of Advance NC, passed away on Saturday,
September 14, 2024 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem NC.
Mike was born at the North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem NC on March 17, 1941,
and he was the oldest son of James Wilson and Ella Lashmit Dunn.

Mike leaves behind a daughter, Mandy Dunn of Advance NC; a son, Mike Dunn Jr. (Hillary) of
Winston-Salem NC; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who all adored him and called him “Papa”:
Chance Taylor and wife Jessica (Addison and Avett), Jamie Oswell and husband Josh (Cooper and
Harper), Carson Reed, Diego Dunn, Marcelo Dunn, May Teague and Lila Fern Teague; sister
Peggy Dunn Chappell (Thurmond, deceased), brother Steven Dunn (Bo Bowers, deceased),
sister (Angela Dunn Gould, deceased) and brother-in-law Jim Gould, sister Ella Dee Dunn
Edwards (John), sister-in-law Brooke Whitehead Oleson (Oren, deceased), Petra Whitehead
and brother-in-law (Edward Whitehead, deceased), many nieces and nephews, and his beloved
best friends (Tony Lutz, deceased) and wife Nancy Lutz, and his honorary grandson, Connor
Dixson.

When our Dad was a little fella, everyone called him “Mickey”. He was a skinny, red headed
freckle-faced rascal who was only happy when he was outdoors playing in the dirt. Dad was
blessed to be able to live out his childhood dreams by sculpting the earth as a Commercial Site
Development Contractor at Dunnco, Inc. Dad’s greatest joy was spending time with his
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, teaching them to swim, to shoot pesky water moccasins
with a shotgun at the lake, helping them with school projects, showing them how to operate his
zero turn lawn mower, and entertaining them by singing silly songs and constantly promoting
shenanigans! After retirement, Dad enjoyed fishing and relaxing at the lake, reading, and
mentoring others to be skilled heavy equipment operators. Dad always looked forward to our
Annual Dunn Reunions in June, and being reminded of all the happy memories he and his
cousins shared in their youth. After Dad’s stroke in 2019, he took pride in still being able to mow
his lawn for a couple more years, as well as helping my brother with projects at his Farm, like
grading around the greenhouse. Dad was thrilled to watch his grandson compete at a local
racetrack, and was well enough near the last few weeks of his life to sit in the pits during
practice on two race days. Dad never lost his appetite and continued to enjoy his favorite foods:
oyster stew, “mater” sandwiches, chicken wings and butter rum lifesavers! Michael and I
remember Dad for his sense of humor, strong faith, unconditional love, sacrifice and generosity–
both of us agreeing he was the hardest-working man we’ve ever known!

Please join us for a Celebration of Life Service, Meal and Fellowship on Saturday, October 26,
2024 @ 3pm, Tanglewood Park – Red Barn, 4061 Clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC 27012 (Gate
Fee Waived). The family will have a private graveside service at Fraternity Church of the
Brethren at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Fraternity Church of the Brethren, 3760 Fraternity
Church Rd, Winston Salem NC 27127, or your favorite charity.

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