John Ausbey Dunn

John Ausbey Dunn, of Milton, FL, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a life-long friend to many, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 12, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, integrity, and dedication to family and community at age 85.
Born on May 28, 1940, in Murray, Kentucky, to Iva (Boyd) and Guy Dunn, his family moved to Michigan soon thereafter where John was raised and graduated from Highland Park High School, class of 1958. His early years sparked a lifelong love for both cars and horses.
John is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of nearly 66 years, Barbara (Downs) Dunn; daughter, Charlene (Larry) Dunn Pierson; son, Michael (Anita) Dunn; grandchildren, Jonathon (Lauren), Justine, Jessa (Joel), Janae (Harrison), Joshua (Kaitlind), Judson, Josiah, Luke, Caleb, and Michaela (Joshua); 18 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Max Dunn; 2 brothers-in-law, Richard (Debbie) Downs and Robert Downs; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Harold Otterson; his parents-in-law, Robert and Hazel (Williamson) Downs; his sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Stan Kucharski; his sister-in-law, Judy Dunn; and several close extended family members.
John was known for his warm heart and tireless work ethic. At just 19 years old, he became the manager of a Standard Oil gas station in Detroit. Throughout the years he became the owner of several gas stations, with John's Marathon in Sterling Heights, Michigan which became the most successful. He received awards throughout the years for cleanliness and volume of business. It was John's honesty and fairness that truly set him apart. In addition to his primary career, his entrepreneurial vision led him to establish a successful snow removal and landscaping venture serving local businesses. Customers returned time and again, knowing they could trust him to treat them right.
After spending most of his life in the Detroit area, at age 43, John and Barbara relocated closer to Barbara's family and became the owners of the Tastee Freez restaurant in Pensacola on the corner of Garden and Palafox, where he served the community for many years with the same warmth and dedication he was known for. Later, his final business venture, John's Undercar Care and Budget Rental, carried him through to his retirement years.
Beyond his work, John was a man of adventure and deep devotion to his family. He and his wife, Barbara, and children shared a life full of travel and activity, exploring Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxenberg, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Whether it was camping, white-water rafting, tobogganing through snowy Michigan or sailing in sunny Florida, they lived life with joy and adventurous spirit, creating a lifetime of cherished memories together.
His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ changed him at age 26, from the inside out. Growing in faith led him to become the youth director with Word of Life and head deacon in his church. John always helped hurting people to the point of even giving several of them a job. He influenced many young people in and out of the church, who still send Christmas cards and thank you notes. He lived with gratefulness to grow and change. Whenever he prayed, he began with a quiet gesture always reaching for Barbara's hand, and when the final "Amen" was said, they sealed it with a kiss. Faith and love, always hand in hand. John consistently prayed for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren by name. His love for his family was steadfast, his dedication to God unwavering, and the kindness he showed to everyone he met made knowing him a true privilege, as it was offered quietly and genuinely, time and time again.
Daniel 12:3 "And those that are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those that turn many to righteousness, like the stars."
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church, located at 3600 Creighton Road, Pensacola. Friends are invited to a visitation preceding the service, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Weaver Cemetery in Brewton, Alabama.
Flowers are welcome, as John was a horticulturist who, along with his beloved Barbara, shared a deep love for all plants and flowers. For those who prefer, contributions to support the care of his cherished wife would also be deeply appreciated.
All arrangements have been entrusted to Trahan Family Funeral Home of Pensacola.