Dunkin, Ormond Lavern -
Hillsboro - Ormond Lavern “Vern” Dunkin, age 89, passed peacefully at home in Hillsboro with his family on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Vern was born to Ormond M. and Beatrice Mabel Ussery Dunkin on July 18, 1930, in rural Lamar County, Alabama, near Melborne.
At age 20, Vern enlisted in the Air Force, serving from 1950-1954, rising to be the chief mechanic on the B-36 aircraft and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant. While stationed at Fort Worth, Vern was introduced to his future bride of 60 years, Joanne McLendon, by his bunkmate, her brother, Allen. On January 10, 1954, Vern and Joanne were married and began their life together in Marietta, Georgia, where he worked at Lockheed. Vern graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Vern then came to Tennessee to work at AEDC, retiring after 31 years. He was a hard worker, a dedicated father, and a longtime member of First Baptist Church, serving over the years as a deacon, finance committee chairman, nursery volunteer, and teacher. He loved fishing, birdwatching, and working in his vegetable garden. He also really enjoyed telling tall tales and reading letters from his family. Alongside close relatives, he and his wife enjoyed travelling together, visiting states all across the United States. Most recently, he enjoyed sharing a meal at the Coffee Café with fellow airplane enthusiasts, Dorman and John.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Joanne McLendon Dunkin, his sister, Bernice D McKenzie, and his brother, George Dunkin. Survivors include three children, Jan Denise Dunkin of Hillsboro, Tenn., Mac Dunkin of Ecuador, South America, and Lori Dunkin Dunn of Hillsboro, Tenn; two grandchildren, Rachel Noreen and her husband Kevin of Findlay, Ohio, and David Dunn and his wife, Jaclyn of Sydney, Australia. Also surviving are a brother, Glen Dunkin and wife, Donnie of Blytheville, Arkansas, beloved in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made in Memory of Mr. Dunkin to North American Missions, c/o First Baptist Church, 1006 Hillsboro Blvd., Manchester, TN 37355.
Funeral services for Mr. Dunkin will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, at First Baptist Church in Manchester with Dr. Brenton Cox officiating. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at Ebenezer Methodist Cemetery in the Fernbank Community of Lamar County, Alabama.
Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Dunkin family.
Services
Funeral Service
Starts: 3/20/20 at 1:00pm
First Baptist Church
Manchester, TN 37355
Burial
Starts: 3/21/20 at 1:00pm
Ebenezer Methodist Cemetery
Fernbank, AL 35576
Tributes
Kathy Brock says:
A dear dear man.
Janet and Galen Freemon says:
The video was beautiful, so many glimpses of the man we knew and the past that we heard about. What a blessing it has been to know him and his wonderful family. Your family is in our prayers as you mourn the loss of one so dear. We are thankful that Jesus allows us to grieve not as those without hope, but with the assurance that we will be together with him some day. You are loved.
David Lanham says:
I'm so sorry to hear of Vern's passing. I worked with Vern for many years at AEDC, and I valued him as both a workmate and a friend. May he rest in peace, and may God bring peace and comfort to Vern's family and many friends.
Kristine Pederson says:
We, at Premier Neurosurgery and Spine Center, would like to express our deepest sympathy in the recent loss of Mr. Dunkin. It was a privilege to have had a small part in his care and we know he will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Dr. Seyed Emadian and Staff
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Coffee County Funeral Chapel786 McMinnville Hwy
Manchester, TN 37355
(931) 723-3330
http://www.coffeecountyfuneralchapel.com/