James "Skeeter" Dunn

James H. “Skeeter” Dunn passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 14, 2024, just two short weeks after celebrating 96 years of a life well lived.

Skeeter was born June 28, 1928, in Sweetwater, Texas to William Floyd Dunn Sr. and Minnie Lee Fulbright Dunn.

As young student in Florence, Arizona, Skeeter met a beautiful girl named Mary Llewellyn Douglas. Skeeter would light up to tell the story of he and Mary walking to school together, when she was in first grade, and he was in second. From those early walks to school, to many farming, hunting and traveling adventures, everyone always knew how much Skeeter loved Mary.

Skeeter attended The University of Arizona and was on the basketball team during his time there. He married the love of his life Mary on February 18, 1949, and began their farming ventures, in Eloy, and then in Maricopa, Arizona. Their homestead in the Central Arizona desert was a military barracks that Skeeter bought from the base in Fort Huachuca, as the base was transitioning away from World War II. In 1959, Skeeter and Mary moved with their 4 young children Robert, Brian, Sharen & Dwight to the South Gila Valley, near Yuma. Skeeter developed a love for flying and was also a pilot. He and Mary were able to celebrate 71 years of marriage.

Skeeter & Mary’s family farming legacy continues in several communities that he and Mary loved spending time in across Arizona and Mississippi.

James “Skeeter” Dunn is survived by his younger brother Floyd (Jeanette) Dunn, sons Robert (Alys) Dunn and Brian (Jeannie) all of Yuma, AZ, Dwight (Penny) Dunn of Greenwood, MS and his son-in law Arlin Dulin of Platte City, MO and 8 Grandchildren, 29 Great Grandchildren, 2 Great Great Grandchildren. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and so many “adopted” family members he and Mary were blessed to have shared so many treasured memories and travel adventures with over his 96 years of life. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, daughter Sharen, granddaughter Audra and so many more precious family and friends that he loved dearly.

The family would like to thank Dr. Charles Nause, Dr. Brent Hardin, Advanced Rehabilitation and all of their staff members for all of their encouragement, compassion and for the quality care you’ve all provided over the last few years. A special thank you to Keith McGee, Jerome Davis, Sandra Prescott & Zipporah Leason as well as Adoration Hospice for the caring way you have all helped love our Grandad and make sure he had quality in home care over the past few years. He has been able to be a part of the daily farm life and was able to continue to have more meals, share more stories, offer more farming advice and to make more memories which was all very important to him.

Most importantly, Grandad Skeeter wanted as many people as possible to see Jesus through his life. Every medical checkup, hospital stay, or daily conversation were all ways he wanted to share his faith. He was able to encourage, serve and continue to bless others around him and even on his hardest days he was able to show others Jesus through his smile.

A celebration of Grandad Skeeter’s life will be on Wednesday, July 24th at Greenwood Delta Funeral Home visitation at 10:00 a.m. service following at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Collin Montgomery officiating. Burial will be Wednesday, July 31st at 10:00 a.m. at Florence Memorial Park Cemetery 300 East Salazar Road, Florence, AZ.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting any memorials be made to: First Baptist Church of Greenwood Building Fund 1600 Hwy 82W (Rear Ste. B) Greenwood, Mississippi 38930.

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