Charles Marion Dunn, 81, of Austin, Texas, passed away on July 31, 2017, following a brief illness.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Allene Godfrey Dunn; both of his parents, Floyd and Hattie Dunn; his brother, James Martin Dunn; and sister, Dorothy Dunn.
He was born in Tatum, Texas on December 27, 1935. He left home at the age of 16 and moved to Houston, Texas where he graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in June of 1954. He went on to study chemical engineering for a brief time at the University of Houston before starting an air conditioning and heating business which he ran for many years in Houston and continued to run after moving to Austin, Texas in 1973. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Education from Southwest Texas State University in 1982.
After many years in the air conditioning business he went to work for the Employees Retirement System of Texas, retiring in June 1997. Following retirement, he kept busy substitute teaching in the Austin Independent School District before finally deciding to just relax and enjoy being a retiree.
Charlie was never one to sit still for very long and he enjoyed a long list of hobbies throughout his life which included dancing, traveling, doing genealogical research, playing cards, directing plays, writing, painting and coloring. Charlie never met a challenge he wouldn't tackle and if there was something he wanted to learn or do, he read about it, educated himself, and then gave it a whirl. He had many friends whom he enjoyed talking with regularly and would engage almost anyone in a deep conversation given the opportunity.
He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Dunn Molina of Lago Vista; his granddaughter who was his pride and joy, Megan Elizabeth Molina of Austin; his sister, Marilyn Dunn Jenkins and husband, Glenn of Tyler; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 27, 2017, in the Memorial Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, the Salvation Army or to a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home.
August 21, 2017
Mary Ann Roser
Charlie cared about his community and paid close attention to what was going on, even when it meant calling local officials--or newspaper reporters--to complain about something he had heard or read. His questions and comments were always insightful, wise and provocative. He had a no-nonsense style but a big, kind heart. I always enjoyed hearing from Charlie and am sad that he is gone. My deep condolences to his family.
August 20, 2017
Marci Sundbeck
Liz, I'm so sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope you can find comfort in your wonderful memories of your dad.
August 20, 2017
Liz, so sorry to read about your father's death. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Jan Wade or as you and Mary called me Wan Jade.
August 15, 2017
HUGH NATIONS
Charlie was a man of few words, but they were always well chosen. I'll miss mingling with him at the South Austin senior center dances.
August 10, 2017
Bob Ward
I always enjoyed talking with Charlie; he was up-to-date on current affairs and was willing to share his knowledge. He had a great sense of humor and his need to try new things to keep current was, to me, great for a man his age (the same age as myself). I will certainly miss his great smile and infectious laugh when I am in attendance at upcoming Palette Club meetings.
August 10, 2017
Bob Ward
I always enjoyed talking with Charlie; he was up-to-date on current affairs and was willing to share his knowledge. He had a great sense of humor and his need to try new things to keep current was, to me, great for a man his age (the same age as myself). I will certainly miss his great smile and infectious laugh when I am in attendance at upcoming Palette Club meetings.
August 10, 2017
Mary Ward
August 10, 2017
Charlie was our good friend in Austin Palette Club, contributing much to our spirit of encouraging each other as artists. Charlie took responsibility for APC's presence on Facebook, and spent many hours learning what would make it work. APC is very grateful for having Charlie in our club, for his good business sense and for his sense of humor. He was a good person, friendly to all, and he will be missed by his artist friends.
August 3, 2017
Dawn Eserini
I will always be grateful to Charlie for giving me an opportunity to work for him at ERS and learn about HVAC. He was an intelligent man who was always interested in how things worked and would challenge himself and his staff to learn new technology. He encourage me to continue educating myself which allowed me to set high goals. He will be sadly missed.
August 3, 2017
Penny Anderson
Liz, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
August 3, 2017
Judy Copeland
Sorry to hear about Charles. I met him at the Austin Palette Club several years ago. He was a nice man and will be missed by the community.
August 3, 2017
Bill Campbell
Charles was a good friend who cared deeply about all people, love among all people especially how Christians should treat everyone. He was intelligent and a really deep thinker who had many questions about God, the universe, physics, engineering and inter-personal relationships. To say he will be missed is an understatement. His influence on all those who met him is a lasting legacy.
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Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home14501 North Ih-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660
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