John L. Dunn

John L. Dunn, affectionately known as "JD," was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on January 25, 1952, to the late Jesse Dunn Sr. and Pearlie M. Williams. He passed away on January 22, 2025, just three days before his 73rd birthday, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and strength.
John graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1970 and soon after enlisted in the United States Air Force. His 20 years of dedicated service took him around the world, including Okinawa, Japan; Duluth, Minnesota; and finally, Abilene, Texas, where he retired as a Staff Sergeant. His military career shaped him into the strong-willed, disciplined, and determined man his family knew and loved.
While in Abilene, John met and married Betty Merl Smith, and together they had a son, Deda Iedonna Dunn. Though life took them in different directions after many years, John later found love again with Patricia Essex, whom he remained married to for 21 years. Together, they built a home filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.
JD was a man of confidence and charisma. His smile was infectious, his laugh unforgettable, and his presence undeniable. He believed in taking care of his family and showed his love through both his words and actions. A man of style, he took pride in his appearance, ensuring every outfit was coordinated from head to toe. Fitness was another passion of his. He worked out regularly and enjoyed flexing his muscles to prove he was still the strongest in the family, even in his 70s.
During his high school years, JD was the dancer. Every day after school he would rush off to Zerks with his brothers and friends and dance for hours before heading home from school. While in high school he played baseball with the summer leagues. JD also had a love for Art which included drawing cartoon characters. He also loved bowling and spent years competing in leagues. His pass time was going to bingo, but nothing brought him more joy than music, especially singing karaoke. His signature song, "Sara Smile," became a family favorite, and no gathering was complete without him singing it. However, his favorite song was "My Girl" which he loved singing to his wife Patricia.
John's faith was the foundation of his life. He began each day in prayer, kept his Bible close, and leaned on his faith through all of life's challenges.
John is predeceased by his parents, grandparents Tarlven and Wealthy Williams and Jesse Clark and Ida Mae Stout, uncles James Hardy, Matthew Dunn, and Tarlven Williams, aunts Thelma Hardy-McWorthy, Gladys Hardy, Lillian, Ruby, and Beatrice Williams, brothers Jesse Dunn Jr. and Robert Preston Dunn Sr., brothers-in-law Roderick
Pannell Sr., W. Benjamin Kendall, and Herman Monroe, nieces Ciara Kendall and Darlene Owens, and step-son Mutagaa Smith.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Patricia; two sons, John L. Gordon (Lana) of Phoenix, AZ, and Deda Iedonna Dunn of Abilene, TX; four step-daughters, Crystal Thomas and Stefanie Nickerson of Abilene, TX, Cheryl O'Bryant of Benbrook, TX, and Jessica Smith of Houston, TX; three step-sons, Joseph Cark of Clyde, TX, Tony Clark of Lawn, TX, and Kenja Smith of Abilene, TX, five brothers, Richard (Jennifer) of Tampa, FL, Matthew, Ronald and Donald of Trenton, NJ; Don Patterson of Ewing, NJ; three sisters, Christine of Ewing, NJ, Denise of Trenton, NJ, and Evette Kendall of Robbinsville, NJ; stepfather Jessie Brown of Trenton, NJ; two sisters-in-law, Iris F. Dunn of Lumberton, NJ and Wanda Faye Dunn of Woodbridge, VA, one brother-in-law Derrick L. Walker of Trenton, NJ and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also had three special friends that were always by his side which are Victoria B., Shelly Hudson, and Zenovia Harris. He considered them the best ladies in the world.
A memorial service will be held at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 7457 Westlake Road, Abilene, TX (FM600) on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 3:00pm to celebrate JD's life and the love he shared with all who knew him. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in the strength of his family, the joy of his laughter, and the memories that will never fade.
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