Shelby Lee Dunn

Shelby Lee Dunn, 86, of Owensboro, went to be with the Lord on October 9, 2025. Born on November 19, 1938, at home in western Daviess County, Shelby grew up in abject poverty and was self-educated. He was a proud member of the Army National Guard and was activated several times, most significantly, during the Berlin Wall crisis.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bernard Howard Dunn; mother, Margaret Ranburger Dunn; brother, Bernard Allen Dunn and a foster sister, Martha Gayle Whitmer.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Rita Pendley Dunn; children, Victor (Jane Hardy) Dunn, Anthony (Charlotte Kirby) Dunn, Curtis (Rebecca Hurm) Dunn, and Shellie (Wesley) Scott; thirteen grandchildren, thirty-seven great grandchildren and a sister, Peggy (Herbert) Canary.

In early in life, Shelby enjoyed bowling and U.K. basketball.

He began his career as a recapper at Fulkerson Tire for a very short time. Through hard work, he started his own tire company known to folks around as Shelby’s Wheel and Tire. Recognizing the future trend of mag wheels and customizing cars and trucks, Shelby built his business into a seven-store chain and wholesaler of custom wheels for the southeast.

Shelby retired from active participation at forty-five years old and moved to Lake Malone. He spent the rest of his life farming and raising horses, to which he favorited his Bashkir American Curly and spent hours with. Shelby mastered bushhogging, weed eating, and maintaining his farm. He devoted hours to helping struggling young men to value hard work, financial prudence, and find a meaningful relationship with the Lord by working side-by-side with them on his farms and properties.

As coined by the late Owensboro radio pioneer, LeRoy Woodward, “It shall…be done.” And now, it has been done.

The funeral service will be 12:00 p.m. Tuesday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, where visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday and from 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, until the time of service.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Heartford House.

Messages and condolences for the family may be offered at www.glenncares.com.