Jerry Allen Dunn

Thursday, November 17, 2016, Jerry Allen Dunn, 73, beloved husband, father, brother, friend and coworker peacefully entered glory with his family at his bedside in Houston, TX, after a nine month battle with leukemia. This was a good, gentle and humble man whose character evoked respect from all who knew him. Waiting to greet him were his parents, Berlie Allen and Opal Geneva Jackson Dunn and a precious daughter who never drew breath in this life and several aunts and uncles. Jerry was born in Coleman, TX, February 9, 1943. While his father was overseas in WWII, he was surrounded by doting aunts and grandparents who granted his every wish. His family moved to Midland, TX, in 1949 where his dad worked for the DPS. After a brief time in Abilene they returned to Midland in 1957. He graduated from Midland High School in 1961. While in high school, he worked as a checker at M System food store and then for Leibrock, Landreth, Campbell and Callaway Engineers as a draftsman while attending Odessa College. He transferred to Texas Tech, graduating in 1967 with a B. S. in Civil Engineering. While at Tech, he met the love of his life, Deanna Lee Hill. They were married July 1, 1967, in Snyder, TX. They were married for 49 years. He was a totally devoted husband, father and grandfather. Nothing took precedence over his family and his Lord. After college, he came back to Midland to work for the Ortloff Corporation as an engineer designing gas processing plants. He was active in the Society of Professional Engineers where he served as president, vice president, secretary, scholarship chair and was chosen Young Engineer of the Year in 1993. When Ortloff closed, he became vice president at John West Engineering and later BCCK Engineering in Midland and Ref-Chem in Odessa. While at BCCK, he worked extensively in Siberia on the design and piece shipment of a plant to refine fuel for the sub zero temperatures to fuel vehicles utilized in an open pit diamond mine in Mirny. He had many harrowing experiences on Areoflot and the Siberian Railroad in his travels which he turned into enthralling tales. After experiencing a heart attack and seven by-passes in 2003, he became an avid mall walker, clocking 4 miles/day, six days/week. This gave him stamina to initially endure the rigorous chemotherapy after his diagnosis of leukemia on March 6, 2016. He experienced a roller coaster of ups and downs as his immunity waxed and waned. He was treated at University Medical Center in Lubbock for six weeks. While there, he contracted clostridium septicum (gangrene bacteria) in his blood. He became famous in house when he survived what kills 9 of 10 people. He completed three more rounds of chemo at Midland Memorial. When his condition relapsed, he went to MD Anderson, Houston, where he was accepted to a clinical trial. He was doing well and then contracted an infection that totally wiped him out. We all had high hopes that he would beat this insidious disease. His strong and courageous fight against cancer showed his quiet trust in God's love despite trials. He carried this heavy burden with great grace. He is rejoicing in glory now. His labor is ended. Our dear Lord has said, "Well done, good and faithful servant. . . enter thou into the joy of the Lord" (Mt. 25:23). He has been a faithful and integral part of Kelview Heights Baptist Church for the last 52 years serving as treasurer, 41 years as a deacon and long time chair, developer of the Pastor's Prayer Partners, pre-school director and Sunday school teacher to second graders, junior highers, young marrieds, singles and senior adults. He has mentored many, many young people in their Christian walk. Since his death, numerous people have commented that he is "the greatest example of a true Christian that I've ever known." He definitely walked the talk. What you saw on Sunday morning was the same that he lived the other 6 days of the week. His Lord defined every area of his life: his home, his job and his friendships. He served as a model of a Godly husband. He was a true servant leader never seeking the limelight or accolades. He was a peacemaker, a trait that was useful in every area of his life. He was a true friend to hundreds of people from his grade school, junior high, high school, and college years, his various work and professional connections and to generations of friends from his church. He was a consummate story teller and has written two books of humorous incidents that have happened to him or family members through the years. He has said that they are all factual, but we believe that he sometimes embellishes the truth. He has mesmerized his grandchildren with his "lifetime stories." For some time before his illness, he would email one per week on Wednesday to a network of friends. We teased him that he had reached blogger status with a large and loyal following. His great sense of humor made him appealing to all generations. He fostered and modeled an unconditional love and enjoyment of family that made our gatherings a great tribute to God's grace. He cared for his wife in a remarkable and extraordinary way, showering her with unconditional love. He taught his children well. His skill in teasing petulant toddlers to teens out of their funks eased many a tense situation. He was easy to talk to, a really good listener. If he made a suggestion, it was tempered with love and a thorough knowledge of God's Word. He had read his Bible through each year for the last two decades. He has passed on a legacy of wisdom and blessing to generations to come, a precious heritage which will continue on to descendents that he will never know except in eternity. This Godly man will be sorely missed. To everyone who knows him he is a legend in his own time -- a legend of goodness. He is survived by his wife, Deanna Dunn; one brother, Eddie Dunn and wife Debbie of Odessa, TX; one son, Kirk Allen Dunn and wife Leslie and grandchildren, Blake Allen and Blair Ashlyn of Midland; one daughter, Kristen Hager and husband Bryan of Anacortes, WA, and three grandsons, Kenan Jackson, Sladen Lee and Stetson Allen (His grandchildren were his joy and delight.); two aunts, Billie Woodard of Abilene, TX; and Betty Ray Mittel of Visalia, CA; one uncle, George Dunn and wife Wanda of Grand Prairie, TX; two double cousins, (this gets complicated) Judy Dunn Connell and husband Jim of Midland; and Jana Dunn Daniel and husband Robert of Dallas, TX; and a plethora of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, in-laws, many beloved cousins and a multitude of dear friends. The family will receive guests from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Sunday, November 20, 2016, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, November 21, 2016, at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland and a Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 PM at Kelview Heights Baptist Church in Midland with Senior pastor, Jeff Franklin officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be the current deacons of Kelview Heights Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Missions Fund of Kelview Heights Baptist Church, 407 W. Alta, Midland, TX, 79705 or to the Mercy House Ministry of West University Baptist, 6218 Auden Street, Houston, TX, 77005, who graciously provided a wonderful accommodations for the family during the six weeks that Jerry was in treatment at MD Anderson. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.