Sterling Scott Dunham

Sterling Scott Dunham, beloved husband, father and friend to so many, passed away peacefully at the age of 67 on January 21st, 2026, surrounded by his family. Scott was born on June 3rd, 1958 to V.A. and Blanche Dunham, and spent his early years growing up alongside his three older siblings Trudy, Whitney and Debbie at their home in central Phoenix, Arizona. He attended grade school at Madison Meadows where he met many of his lifelong friends and fellow mischief makers, pulling pranks and sharing lots of laughs along the way. In his teenage years, Scott and friends left their mark on Central High School, and later on, took over Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff where the “posse” expanded, leading to many nights filled with good drinks, good friends and good memories that would last a lifetime. Amongst the friends that he met up north, the greatest friend would come in the form of a white labrador retriever known as Zane, who would follow Scott anywhere and everywhere (even to class). Scott graduated NAU with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and relocated back to Phoenix shortly thereafter.

In 1993, Scott married the love of his life, Diane Dunham, whom he cherished with all his heart. They began the start of their family in 1998 with the birth of their only daughter, Kellsie Dunham, who he was so proud of. If you asked Scott what was most important to him in this life, without a second thought, he would say it was “his girls”. Scott loved being a father and family man. He spent much of his time showing his family the places in this world he loved the most, all the way from the beaches in Rocky Point, to his old stomping grounds back at NAU. He was the host of many ASU tailgates, Fiesta Bowl parties, and loud, late nights spent on his backyard patio sharing a beer with neighborhood friends. Scott also spent his free time going to concerts, smoking ribs and brisket to perfection, and making those around him crack a smile with his unique humor, wit and, some would say “legendary”, sense of sarcasm.

He is survived by his wife Diane, their daughter Kellsie, his nieces Mina (Steve) and Melissa (Jeff), and his nephew Michael. He is also survived by Mina’s children, Ava and Leah, whom he loved very dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents, V.A. and Blanche Dunham, as well as his siblings Trudy, Whitney, and Debbie, leaving the Dunham clan reunited together once again after so many years. Scott will be incredibly missed by his family and friends, all of whom mourn the loss of an extraordinary, charming and caring man. His impact on this world lingers in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know him and his need to help others in any way he possibly could, often being the most loyal confidant and the strongest shoulder to lean on. Scott’s legacy is echoed in the wise words of his favorite songwriter, Jimmy Buffet: “Don’t try to explain it, just nod your head. Breathe in, breathe out, move on.”

A celebration of life for Scott will be held on January 31st, 2026. For information regarding the location and time of the celebration, please call Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home (602-840-5600) in Phoenix, Arizona for details. Thank you, and God bless.