James L. "Jim" Dunn, 79, Sachse, Texas; passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, after a brief and valiant battle with cancer.
Jim was born on September 16, 1944 in Torrance, California, to the late Lewis Martin and Myrtle Irene (Hayden) Dunn. The family relocated to Tonkawa, Oklahoma, where he was raised.
Jim was a 1962 graduate of Tonkawa High School and received his Associates of Science Degree from Northern Oklahoma College in 1965. In 1968, Jim graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering.
After graduation, Jim moved to Dallas, Texas and worked for Texas Instruments for two years before being drafted during the Vietnam War. Mr. Dunn proudly served his country in the US Army from 1969-1971.
After his military stint, Jim returned to the Dallas area, where he would spend the remainder of his working career as a computer programmer. In 1974, he began his dedicated employment for E-Systems, later becoming Raytheon Company, where he met the love of his life, Sharon.
Jim and Sharon Ferbert were married on August 6, 1976 and celebrated forty-seven years of marriage , friendship, companionship and priceless memories.
Jim and Sharon were avid travelers throughout the United States as well as abroad. They became certified scuba divers and took many diving trips exploring the Caribbean Sea.
In addition to being a devoted husband, Jim was a proud and doting father to his beloved daughter, Amy. Some of their favorite activities included the Indian Princess Program and numerous memorable camping trips. He was heavily involved and supportive of all her sporting activities and achievements. From their early days to their last, one thing they always enjoyed and bonded over was a good Simpson's sitcom.
In January of 2007, Jim and Sharon retired to the home they built on Lake Cypress Springs in Mt. Vernon, Texas. They loved the lake living and looked forward to deck parties with the neighbors and hosting their family and grandkids where they enjoyed fireworks, jet skiing, tubing, fishing and smores by the fire pit.
During his retirement, Jim continued personal programming and donated much of his time to his community. Volunteering for Lunches of Love at the First United Methodist Church and the Mt. Vernon Rotary Back Pack Program. Jim was also instrumental in developing a robotics course for the local library. As a wine connoisseur, Jim looked forward to lending his hand at the bi-annual Mt. Vernon Food & Wine Festival.
Jim truly was a jack of all trades; a skilled woodworker, talented photographer and if he didn't already know how to fix a problem, he enjoyed the challenge of finding the solution.
Jim was always kind and cordial to everyone he met and never knew a stranger. He was intelligent, easy going and was always enjoyable to be around. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.
Jim is survived by his wife, Sharon, of the home; daughter, Amy Dunn (Jake Anderson); three grandchildren, Zoey Lebron, Keagan and Maddox Suggs and his sister, Mary Jeter (Grady), Los Gatos, CA.
Mr. Dunn has been cremated under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, where a register book will be available for signing.
A Celebration of Jim's Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Maggiano's, located at 6001 W Park Blvd, Plano, TX 75093, in the Rapallo Room with Reception to follow from 2:15-4:00 PM in the Portofino Room in observance of Jim's 80th Birthday.
