John "Jack" W. Dunning

John W. "Jack" Dunning was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on December 26, 1943 and died Sunday, May 20, 2012 at Kadlec Hospital, Richland, WA. Jack was the oldest of three children born to Mildred (Oddo) and Gilbert Dunning. His loving parents were Roman Catholics and sent Jack to parochial schools. Jack excelled in his studies and became an Altar Boy, serving God each week. Gilbert Dunning was a career Marine and often took Jack to the firing range, which began his love for target practice and hunting. During Jack's younger years, the Marine Corp moved the Dunning family from New Jersey to Jacksonville, Florida; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and Memphis, Tennessee. The family settled in Santa Monica, California following Gilberts retirement from the armed services.

Jack's love for fishing and the outdoors began at an early age. He often told stories of his "Tom Sawyer" days spent on his "little tin boat" fishing catfish in the southern waters. He also loved sports and added baseball to his favorite pass times. Jack quickly became the star pitcher on Catholic High's State Championship baseball Team. He received a baseball scholarship to the University of Tennessee following High School graduation and for a short time attended UT.

In 1964, Jack met his bride to be Kathleen Farr and soon thereafter was married. They made their home in Brookings Harbor, OR and the following year was blessed with a daughter Trisha and three years later a second daughter, Tammie was born. Their home was full of activities and the young family enjoyed the outdoors, camping, fishing, boating, raising and showing Labrador Retrievers and working to tame Trisha's pony.

Jacks job with General Telephone & Electronics Corporation took him to many parts of the Pacific Northwest and in 1980 the family settled in La Grande, Oregon. Jack loved to take his young family camping every summer to Central Oregon one of their favorite spots was "Cow Camp". Camping, hunting, fishing, boating, and spending time with his family was an important part of who Jack was. Jack retired from GTE after 30 years of service and he and Kathy settled into a busy but relaxing retirement life.

You might say that from his retirement, he was reborn. Always the outdoors man and devote Catholic, he was then able to pursue these interests full time. And that he did with vigor and vitality that was truly wonderful. Jack was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church and was active on the Executive Board as well as supported various church projects. The parish was lucky to get a volunteer who could fix anything and would help whenever needed. Jack was proud to be in the Knights of Columbus. He loved the fellowship and helping with the projects. He loved the Valley and retirement afforded them the luxury of spending more time exploring the hills and streams, cruising Alaska and reacquainting himself with various parts of the eastern and southern United States. But tragedy struck the family in 2005 when Kathy passed away. Jack's life would forever feel the void and miss the smile, laughter and joy she brought to his life.

Jack filled his days fishing and hunting and working wildfires around the country. But his greatest joy was in the time spent with family watching his grandchildren's sporting events: football, softball, basketball; and supporting their individual endeavors, whether at the Union County Fair or at a game…he could often be found with his perpetual camera capturing the moments only to share them later with anyone who would take a minute to listen to his recaps and view his photos.

Following daily mass, he could be found with his close friends sharing the highlights of the games and voicing his opinions on the various roundtable topics. He could often be found at a mountain lake on his quest for the elusive trout, or showing a family friend or small child the joy of catching their first fish!

In 2010, Jack met Dianne Jackson and recently planned to begin again with a new life in Prosser, WA. The couple purchased a country home on the Yakima River and Jack was looking forward to spending his next 20 years growing old together, watching the Canadian Geese land on the river, surrounded by family, and teaching their youngest grandchildren the joys of fishing. He will be sorely missed.

Survivors include mother, Mildred Dunning of Montgomery, Alabama; children, Trish & Rich McDaniel and their children, Dalton, Wesley and Jessica of Summerville, Oregon; and Tammie & Mike McDaniel and their daughter, Haley of Osburn, Idaho; sister Darlene and brother-in-law John Munson of Montgomery, Alabama; and Mildred Ann (Tiger) and brother-in-law Cam Gilbert of Montgomery, Alabama. His father preceded him in death in 1991.

A Rosary will be said at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street, La Grande at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2012. A Funeral Mass in honor of Jack will take place at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 1, 2012 followed by a reception at Our Lady of the Valley Parish Hall. His burial will take place at Hillcrest East Cemetery, La Grande, OR.

Friends are invited to sign the online guest book at www.danielsknopp.com.

Jack's family has suggested that any memorials be directed to Our Lady of the Valley, Marian Academy directly through Daniels~Knopp, 1502 Seventh Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.

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