Lyle Dunham

1946 - 2019

Lyle Dunham

Fountain Hills - Lyle Dean Dunham, 73, was peacefully relieved from his suffering on February 23, 2019. Lyle's courageous battle with CBGD was eased by his loving wife Cindy, his endearing caregiver, and wonderful family and friends who endured by his side with endless compassion and strength. His wonderful humor sustained us all. Lyle was born February 16, 1946 in Wheatland, WY to John Robert Dunham and Louise V. Dunham. Lyle had three beautiful daughters, Candace Ann (Jason) Wright, Stacy (Doug) Gates and Kirsten (Dan) Neumann. He thought the world of his 8 grandchildren, Emily Wright, Madison Wright, Lindsey Dunham (deceased), Delaney Gates, Finley Gates, Carter Neumann, Sawyer Neumann and Asher Neumann.

Lyle, always the entrepreneur, from his lawn mowing business at a very young age in Wheatland, to becoming the youngest manager of the Midwest Gibson Discount store chain, living in Scottsbluff, NE. In 1976, Lyle moved his family to Billings, Montana and started Dunham Distributing and became a successful beer and wine wholesaler. He was President of the Montana Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, Vice-President of the Rocky Mountain Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association and was on the Board of Directors of the National Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. In 1987 Lyle met and married his soul mate and the love of his life, Cindy Harris, who lived in Scottsdale, AZ. Never to let dust settle, Lyle got into the communications business in Arizona and was owner of a cable television company and fledgling phone card business. He was also active in the Arizona Cable Television Association as a Board Member. Lyle enjoyed such civic groups as the Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary and became a board member of the Scottsdale Boys and Girls Club. A lot of Lyle's dear friends that are by his side today derive from these early beginnings in Arizona and the comradery of these worthwhile organizations. Lyle and Cindy retired and while keeping a foothold in beautiful Red Lodge, Montana, moved to Molokai, Hawaii. Lyle missed the hustle bustle of the business world and became a successful real estate broker and business consultant, both in the islands as well as back in Montana and Wyoming where he had Dunham Real Estate Services and Stratus Consulting. Lyle became the President of the West Molokai Homeowners Association and President of the Papohaku Homeowners Association.

Lyle's passion was fly fishing in Montana, hunting all over the world, hiking, camping and riding his horses with his wife Cindy outside their home in the beautiful Beartooth Mountains of Montana and always had a great Labrador Retriever trotting by his side. He loved his happy, full and adventurous life, and always said "Life is Good", even when he was struggling at the end of his days. His strength and great attitude are an inspiration and amazed us all.

The Arizona Celebration of Life for Lyle will be Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 from 2-6pm at the Hawkins Hangar, 7317 E. Greenway Road, Scottsdale, 85260. The Montana Celebration will be this summer in Red Lodge, TBD.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Heather Costello and her staff as well as Deane and staff at Heritage Funeral Chapel. Lyle asked, in lieu of flowers, that contributions be made to Hospice of the Valley, who were outstanding in his final days, Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary, where he made some lasting and wonderful friendships or Scottsdale Boys and Girls Club, near and dear to his heart and such a worthy organization for our community.

As Lyle toasted the sunset every evening no matter where he was he'd say . . . "Good Bye Mr. Sun".