Edward Campbell Dunn
Naples, FL
Edward "Ed" Campbell Dunn, 91, devoted and caring husband, father, grand father and great-grandfather, passed away on October 1, 2012 in Naples, FL.
He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley Crawford Dunn in 2009. They shared 65 years of marriage and a life filled with children, grandchildren, careers and civic responsibilities.
A memorial celebration for Ed will be held on Saturday, November 10th at the Clubhouse Library at Moorings Park in Naples from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Ed is survived by his four children, Karen Noel Cochran and her husband, Kent Cochran of Nashville, TN and Naples, FL, John Gilbert Dunn and his wife, Anne Dunn of Brentwood, TN, Sally Dunn of New York City, and Andrew Donelson Dunn of Nashville, TN; six grandchildren, John Edward Noel of Atlanta, GA, Andrew Dunn Noel and his wife, Dixie Noel of Portland, OR, Amy Dunn Patz and her husband, Dan Patz of Nashville, TN, Ian Campbell Dunn of New York City, Katherine Elaine Schreiber of New York City, and Edward Campbell Dunn II of Nashville, TN; two greatgrandchildren, Milo Edward Noel and Anders Hopkins Noel of Portland, OR. Also surviving Ed are his brothers, Harry Smith Dunn and his wife, Jane of Naples, FL, Robert Dunn and his wife, Francoise of Stowe, VT and Naples, FL; and his sister, Sarah Lee Howell and her husband, Ted of Durham, NC.
Ed also was predeceased by his brother, John Donelson Dunn of Nashville, TN.
Ed was born in 1921 in Gallatin, TN. As a young boy, his family moved to Detroit, MI as did many Tennesseans following WW I. A graduate from Wayne State University, Ed was selected to be a member of the Army's American Specialized Training Program (ASTP), being trained at Stanford University and the University of Oregon to work in post war government infrastructure in Europe. Ed also served as a sergeant in Field Artillery in Italy and his unit was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war Ed worked in Detroit, at the Redford Record, on one of the largest national weekly newspapers.
Ed began his long career with Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in 1950 in the Detroit agency. In 1959 he returned to Nashville as the General Agent for the company. Adding branch offices in Memphis and Chattanooga who handled the Tennessee Medical Association's Group Life Insurance Plan and the Tennessee Society of CPA's group life and health coverage. He served as president of the Nashville Life Underwriters Association and later was president of the state organization. In 1978 Ed was chosen Man of the Year by the State Life Underwriters.
Ed was elected national president of the Mutual Benefit Life's General Agents Association in 1969 to 1970. He was a chartered life underwriter and a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table and achieved this distinction for 18 years. In 1977 Ed was appointed to the Metropolitan Development and Housing authority (MDHA) of Nashville by Mayor Richard Fulton and was reappointed to this position by succeeding mayors for 25 years, becoming the longest serving commissioner in the history of the MDHA. As chairman of the Urban Development Committee he oversaw the building of the Nashville Convention Center and the National Football League stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans.
In 1978 Ed was named to the Board of the Nashville Memorial Hospital and later participated in its sale and establishment of the Nashville Memorial Foundation. He served on the Board of Trustees and Financial and Grants Committee until 2005. During his tenure the Foundation awarded a grant to renovate "Grassmere" at the Nashville Zoo which was an historic home built in 1810 by his great, great, great-grandfather, Michael Dunn.
In addition to Ed's business career and civic appointments, Ed was also active in Tennessee Democratic politics, dating from Congressman Dick Fulton to Al Gore, senior to his son Al Gore, junior. Ed enjoyed participating in family politics including the 2002 election of his grandson, John Edward Noel to the Georgia House of Representatives and the multiple campaigns of his daughter-in-law, Anne Dunn as Brentwood, TN City Commissioner.
Ed was a direct descendent of Colonel John Donelson and General Daniel Smith and was proud of the role his family played in the founding of Nashville and Campbellsville. His family sat around the dinner table many times hearing wonderful stories of their ancestors and it instilled in them pride that they were part of the history of Tennessee. Ed's memoirs and journals left detailed accounts to be shared with succeeding generations.
Ed and his wife bought a condo at La Mer in Naples, FL in 1982 where they spent their winters. Later, in 2004 they moved to the Naples retirement community of Moorings Park. Throughout their time in Naples, Ed and Shirley were lovingly cared for by a dear friend, Chris Beebe of Naples, FL. The family is forever grateful for her devotion to them.
In lieu of flowers, the family notes that contributions can be made in Ed's name to the MDHA Resident Scholarship Fund at 701 South Sixth Street, Nashville, TN 37206 or Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 4980 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL 34109.
For online condolences, visit fullerfuneralhome.com.
Pine Ridge Road
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3 Entries
I am so proud of my father and his accomplishments in life. I am so grateful for his love, his support, his insight, his caring, - I could go on and on but I am most thankful for the love he had for his family. His duty to all of us was paramount and I am so proud to be his daughter.
Sally Dunn
October 21, 2012
It was my pleasure to get to know Ed through our work on the MDHA Board of Directors. He was such a pleasure with a kind heart. I'm richer for having had the experience. He will be missed.
Jo Anne Corbitt
October 15, 2012
I worked for Mr. Dunn as his Administrative Assistant from 1982 until his retirement from Mutual Benefit Life. He was one of the kindest and most generous men I have ever known. My husband and I towed his Jaguar to Naples for him. He will be greatly missed.
Nancy C. Rivers
October 14, 2012
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