Barry Richard Dunn

Barry Richard Dunn, 77, a member of a pioneer Daytona Beach family died August 6, 2024. He was born to James and Ruth Dunn on February 12, 1947 at the Civilian Hospital. He was moved the day after his birth to Halifax Hospital after the army had released its control of the building. He attended Lenox Elementary and Seabreeze High School where he played football and went on to get a Business Degree at Florida State University in 1969 and pledged SAE Fraternity. After graduating from FSU and ROTC he went on active duty to Branch School at Ft Bliss, Texas then transferred to Ft Carson, Colorado where he received his Vietnam orders. During his time as an army lieutenant, he received National Defense Service, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service, Army Commendation and Bronze Star Medals. After returning home, he worked for First Atlantic Bank in Jacksonville in a management training program and two years later was transferred back to his hometown of Daytona Beach where he worked as Head of the Installment and Loan Dept. He married Deborah in 1975 making their home in Port Orange, Florida for 49 years until his death. In 1976, Barry entered into the family business starting at Dunn Toys and Hardware known as the store with a million items on Beach Street. He later transferred to Dunn Lumber and Supply in Daytona Beach and later became manager of Dunn Lumber and Supply in New Smyrna Beach until the death of his uncle Buck Dunn which brought him back to Dunn Lumber in Daytona Beach. He became Co-President with his cousin Sam Dunn and remained until the business was sold in 2007. He was dedicated and found it to be very difficult to leave a family business that had employed dedicated employees for 105 years. Barry joined the Daytona Beach Rotary Club in 1977 representing a third-generation family to be President alongside his father James Dunn and grandfather J. Blair Dunn. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and remained an honorary member until his death. He served as President of the Downtown Merchants Association in 1976 and Treasurer of the Heart Association for two years. Barry was an avid FSU football fan and looked forward to Tallahassee trips and watching the games on TV. Monday night meetings of the Daytona Beach Quarterback Club was a night he looked forward to from 1979 to 2012. He also loved to fish and play golf. Together Barry and Deborah loved to travel taking in the sights of many U.S. states and other countries. They spent many hours at their lake house in the Ocala National Forest and trips to Balsam, N.C. where his grandparents had a home. In 2007 they decided to build their own house on Balsam Mountain. Many memories were made in both places but mostly he loved the mountains and all it had to offer to both he and Deborah and their family. His church family was First Presbyterian of Daytona Beach and eventually he and Deborah became members of Port Orange Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents James and Ruth Dunn. Survived by his loving wife, Deborah of 49 years: daughter Coleen Hall (Robert); daughter Jennifer Barnack (Bart); sister Jan Hammond (Judge Kim Hammond-Deceased). Known as Papa to his grandchildren: Olivia, Jacob, Gracie, Kaylee, Colin and Noah.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Port Orange Presbyterian Church on August 31, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow. Memorial gifts may be given to Port Orange Presbyterian Church, 4662 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange, FL 32129.