Elvin Dunn

Elvin Dunn of Republic, Missouri was called home to be with his Lord on March 8, 2023. Elvin was born on July 9, 1935, in Rogersville, MO, to Lester & Blanche Dunn. Elvin was the middle of five children. His mother, Blanche, passed away when Elvin was just 11 years old.
Elvin grew up on a dairy farm and had a passion for farming. He was actively involved in FFA in high school, winning multiple local, state and national awards. Some of those awards included dairy judging, dairy production, poultry, forages and soils. He was also active in showing his dairy cattle. He graduated from Rogersville High School with the class of 1953. Upon graduating from high school, Elvin thought he was going to have a career in farming. However, a few years after graduation, he had his thumb cut off in a hay baler, and at that time decided a higher education might be the better direction for him. Elvin enrolled at SMS (Missouri State) and pursued a BS degree in accounting. During this same period, Elvin joined the Army National Guard, enlisting in June of 1957 before being honorably discharged in 1963.
It was during his time at SMS that he met the love of his life, Sharon Dunn. They dated for three years while attending SMS, and were joined in marriage in 1961. After marriage, they sought out the perfect place to raise their family and settled on 40 acres north of Republic. It was there that they raised their three children. Sherri Lynn was born in 1965, Kevin Douglas in 1966 and Craig Elvin in 1971. Elvin spent almost 30 years working at Litton Industries as the chief accountant, before retiring at age 55. He then spent the next 12 years running the Republic License Bureau, spent multiple years managing the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, and owned the Liberty Tax franchise in Republic until he sold it at the young age of 85. Elvin is also known for his time on the Republic School Board in the late 80s, serving as president his last year. Elvin was a member of First Baptist Church in Republic since 1969 and was serving as treasurer at the time of his passing. There wasn't anything that Elvin couldn't do or figure out. Elvin never met a stranger. He always had a smile on his face, always had a joke to share, and
always made a positive impact on everyone he met.
Elvin's greatest passion of all was his four grandchildren. He was literally their daily driver to so many of their activities, taking them to practices and games, picking them up from school and taking them to Andy's for a treat. It didn't matter what the event, he was available to help. He would call every day, asking for his "assignments" with his grandchildren. He was deeply woven into the fabric of their lives, and he will be greatly missed by them and the entire family.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Sherri Lynn Drain, sisters Elaine Schooley and Nadine McCarter, brother Vernon Dunn, nephew Mark Wolford, niece Kara Dunn, parents Lester and Blanche Dunn, and step-mother Lodine Dunn.
Elvin is survived by his wife, Sharon Dunn, sons Kevin Dunn of Los Angeles, Craig Dunn and wife Tricia of Republic, four grandchildren Connor, Caden, Camden and Payton Dunn, all of Republic, sister Norma Matthews and husband Richard of Rogersville, sister-in-law Linda Dunn of Rogersville, sister-in-law Diana Wolford and husband Tom of Olive Branch, MS, as well as many nieces and nephews and other extended family and countless friends.
A Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, March 18, from 12 noon to 2:00 at First Baptist Church in Republic. Funeral Services will follow at 2:00, with Pastor Lee Miller, of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.