Ernest B Dunham

Ernest Benton Dunham, 83, of Spring Hill, Fl passed away peacefully on November 30, 2024 at home in the arms of his loving wife, Sheila, daughter Lisa and "favorite son" Joe. The family was assembled together just as he wished to thank God for the great life given to them in a husband, father, Papa and Great Papa. MDS finally had gotten the best of his strong body.
Ernest was born August 21, 1941 in Red Boiling Spring, Tennessee. He was the son of a hard working farmer and beautiful auburn haired mother. Life was hard but beautiful at times as he made the best of life even as a young boy spending his days climbing Mulberry trees, planting gardens, listening to the Grand Ole Opry on his grandfathers radio and watching expensive cars come through town on their way to the springs. He lived with his mother, two brothers and grandparents until his dad came and took him to live in Roley, Ky where he would get to love more brothers and sisters and spend the rest of his school days before entering the Marine Corp.
He spent his time in Roley making friends, enjoying PE and running. At 17 years old he gave his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized. He decided that when he graduated he wanted to be a United States Marine because he loved their uniforms. He left for bootcamp the day after graduation and didn't look back until retiring in 1987. While in the Corps, for five years a beautiful young girl from Roley decided to start writing him letters to encourage him while away. They fell in love in writing and got married October 8, 1966. A previously planned spring wedding turned into a fall wedding due to the fact that he was leave for Vietnam the following month. He spent the first 15 months of their new marriage in Vietnam and by the grace of God he came home the very same handsome young man that left his bride. Life was beautiful. In May of 1969 they had their "one and only daughter" Lisa Gayle. He retired in May of 1987 as a decorated Marine with 26 years of service to God, Country and the Marine Corp. That summer Ernest and Sheila moved to Indiana to be closer to her sister and spend time closer to family. They spent the next 35 years in Indiana until 2022 when they decided to move to Spring Hill, Fl to be closer to daughter and grandkids.
Ernest was truly among the few Valiant men that walk this earth with integrity, honesty, love for country, God and family. He was dedicated and loved his girls and family until his final breath. He was full of so much life that he would give away smiles and laughs to all who met him. In 1975, He taught himself to paint and spent the rest of his life filling people's lives with color. He would give away paintings to all who served him. He would work tirelessly, with joy and find so much pleasure presenting his masterpieces to the most deserving friends and loved ones. He was an artist through and through and filled everyone he met with joy and color. He was a devoted husband of 58 years who didn't miss a day to tell his bride "Your beautiful" or "Isn't your mom the most beautiful". He was the most fun-loving, funny human being you would ever meet who had a knack of making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room.
Ernest is a big life that will be truly missed here until we see him again in heaven.
Ernest is survived by:
His wife Sheila Dunham of Spring Hill, Fl
His daughter Lisa Caputo (Joe) of Spring Hill, Fl
His grandchildren Logan Caputo and Kaley Morrissey (Kyle) of Spring Hill, Fl
His great grandchildren Aiden and Amelia Morrissey
His brothers, Tommy Thomas (Mary) and Travis Dunham, both of Tennessee
His sisters, Jean Huddleston (Butch) of Tennessee, Lucille Johnson (Melvin) and Louise Stearman (Wayne), both of Campbellsville, Ky.
In lieu of flowers please make a monetary donation to:
Responders First Wellness Program, Jesse Diaz-Franco 352-585-0626
Responders First