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Doran Dunaway Obituary
Doran Alan Dunaway passed away peacefully August 20, 2020. Doran was born in Marion, Indiana and obtained both a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Computer Engineering at the University of Louisville. He had 26 years of experience in information services consulting and hospital information management, retiring from Greenville Hospital System in 2011 where he served as VP of Information Services and Chief Information Officer.
Doran stood 6'8" tall and was known by his friends and loved ones as a gentle giant. With a gift for story telling, he charmed all those in his path with a joke or funny anecdote. He was frequently spotted driving his sports car and walking 18 holes on his home golf course. He loved history, antique clocks, and music. He was adored by his family and community for his loyalty, strength, and integrity.
He is survived by his 2 spirited daughters, Jessica Dunaway and Stephanie Dunaway-Dickson (Chris) and granddaughter Sloane along with his six brothers and sisters, Aaron Dunaway, Steven Dunaway, Joe Dunaway, Luwana Dunaway, Valerie Battcher, and Charlene Dunaway along with many nieces and nephews who will miss him tremendously. He was predeceased by his wife of thirty-eight years Donna Banks Dunaway. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Prisma Health Office of Philanthropy - Movement Disorder Center: (864) 797-7743.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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Steve Jones
August 19, 2025
The Tall Tale of Doran Dunaway -Class of 1973
He foresaw the Future in Computers
When Doran Dunaway walked into Seneca High School in the late 1960s, coaches didn´t ask if he wanted to play basketball-they just handed him a jersey and said, "Son, the rim is up there, you´re up there... this was meant to be." At 6´8", he was less a student and more a landmark.
After dazzling on the hardwood at Seneca, Doran carried his height (and humor) to Centre College, where opponents prayed he wouldn´t notice how close his hands already were to the basket. But while basketball was fun, Doran had another love brewing: computers. Now, in 1974, computers weren´t sleek laptops or phones-they were room-sized beasts with blinking lights that looked like they were trying to communicate with aliens. Most people ran away from them. Doran? He ran toward them, probably because he could see over the punch-card machine.
I remember posting when I first heard Doran had passed, saying how amazed I was that he had the foresight to dive into computer science back in 1974. Now, let me set the scene: in those days, when I wandered through the science and tech halls at Western Kentucky University, all I saw were stressed-out students lugging around stacks of punch cards like they were auditioning for a paperboy Olympics. I sure didn´t see "the future" in that mess of cardboard and clunky machines. But Doran did. He not only spotted the future-he rolled up his sleeves and made it his life´s work, spending decades programming, coding, and building systems long before the rest of us figured out how to set the clock on a VCR.
To put it in perspective, if you had asked me in 1974 whether I wanted to invest in computer science or buy a "Hair Club for Men" franchise, I would´ve gone all in on the hair. Doran, on the other hand, chose computers-and, well, history has proven which one aged better.
Thus began a career where he was equal parts pioneer and prankster, blazing trails in computer science before "IT" was even cool. He became the gentle giant of computing-fixing problems, building systems, and telling jokes that made even hospital servers want to reboot with laughter. Though his story ended too soon, he left behind a legacy of brains, height, and humor, proving that a life well-lived is best measured not in years, but in laughs, loyalty, and maybe a few slam dunks along the way.
He obtained his Masters of Science in Computer Engineering at the University of Louisville. He had 26 years of experience in information services consulting and hospital information management, retiring from Greenville Hospital System in 2011 where he served as VP of Information Services and Chief Information Officer. Doran stood 6´8" tall and was known by his friends and loved ones as a gentle giant. Our gentle giant passed 5 years ago on August 20, 2020.
David summers
August 19, 2023
Always a nice guy. He will be remembered and missed
Robert Bergstrom
January 8, 2021
Donna, I was so sad to read this today. I woke up thinking about Doran and the times we spent together traveling for MGMA and on the speaking circuit. Doran, as you well know, was one of the brightest, animated and intelligent people I have ever met. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Helen Arend
August 28, 2020
To the family, I thought you might want to see the many tributes that are on our class Facebook page.Seneca High class of 73. He was well rembered by all.
Mary Ann Broadstone
August 27, 2020
To Valerie and all of Doran's family, We are so sorry for your loss. Sending lots of love to you all. Mary Ann & Tom Broadstone
David Summers
August 26, 2020
Rest In Peace Doran. I’m sure you will be missed. A very friendly guy with a big smile. He was always fun to be around.
Steve Jones
August 26, 2020
I remember Doran from playing on the high school basketball team at Seneca. He was a true Gentle Giant, soft spoken and determined in his convictions. Believe it or not I thought of him over the past months since I went thru some high school pictures and his senior picture on the high school team of 1973. I’m not sure his girls knew much about their dads past high school and college career in sports. I will post the only picture of Doran I have from our senior year. Rest In Peace
Greg Clark
August 26, 2020
Doran was my Best friend in High School.
He was such a smart guy and a computer genius who pioneered medical administration technology.
With such a great career and jobs all over the country we never got to spend much time together after high school which I regret to this day. We had such good times and I will cherish those memories always. I'm sure he will be missed by all his Seneca Classmates. May his Memory be Eternal.
Leigh (Armstrong) Taub
August 26, 2020
May your happy memories of the good times you shared bring you comfort and peace during this time of sorrow. Doran was dearly loved by all of his friends at Seneca High School.
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