James Prentis Dunavan

1942 - 2016

James Prentis (Jim) Dunavan

Dyer, TN

James Prentis (Jim) Dunavan, 73, of Dyer, Tennessee died July 6, 2016. He was born in Atwood, TN on November 17, 1942. He graduated from Milan High School in 1960 and later attended the University of Tennessee-Martin where he received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Secondary Education. He taught for 36 years. His career began in Bernie, Missouri where he taught 7th grade math. He later taught in Tennessee at Milan High School, Jackson Vocational School, Haywood High School, and Trenton Peabody High School. After retiring from Peabody, he taught for 2 more years in Caruthersville, Missouri. His love of math and science led him to teach such classes as Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Calculus, Chemistry and Physics. Mr. Dunavan was dedicated to his students and was known for making sure that they all had the opportunity to fully understand the subject. He often came in early or stayed late to help anyone who was having difficulty. He was a passionate enthusiast for education and also taught classes in ACT test preparation. He felt it was very important to make sure all students could reach their educational goals and potential. He was an avid tennis player and coached the Peabody High School tennis team for 15 years. Jim was a member of First Baptist Church in Trenton where he was an assistant Sunday school teacher. He and his wife enjoyed travel, yard work, tennis, and going to movies. He was an avid reader of Stephen King, a collector of baseball cards, a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and a lover of music, especially Elvis, Frank Sinatra and Simon & Garfunkel.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 30 years, Elaine Bell Dunavan; his daughter Sandy Dunavan-Johnson and her husband David Johnson of Cookeville, TN; and a daughter Shelly Hinson and her husband Greg Hinson of Trenton, TN. He also leaves a sister Joyce Chandler and her husband Jimmy Chandler of Trenton, TN. He also leaves his grandchildren Angela Lasater and her husband Brett Sloan of Chattanooga, TN; Garrett Hinson of Boulder, CO, and Seth Hinson of Trenton, TN. He also leaves step-grandchildren Hannah Johnson, Mirrah Johnson and Reid Johnson. Funeral services will be held at 1pm Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Shelton Funeral Home Chapel in Trenton, Tennessee, with burial to follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Milan, TN. Visitation will be held from 5pm to 9pm on Friday, July 8, 2016 at Shelton Funeral Home.