Obituary of James Dunaway

Master Chief James "Pappa Jim" Melvin Dunaway, 89, entered into rest on September 26, 2011 surrounded by his loving family and close friends. He will always be remembered as a devoted husband, father. He was born at home in Columbia, Mississippi to Colon and Lela Price Dunaway on May 28, 1922. He left home when he was twenty to work in the Civilian Conservation Corps until the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. While stationed in San Diego, California he met and married the love of his life, Irma May Provost from Woburn, Massachusetts. She had also joined the Coast Guard to serve her country. During his military career of 28 ½ years, he raised four children who will forever be his pride and joy. He retired as an E-9 Master Chief, and happily spent the last 4 ½ years in St. Augustine, Florida. Jim was known for being a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and was a walking encyclopedia on the subject of baseball. He treasured being a father, a grand & great grandfather. He was a man who never knew a stranger. Jim is predeceased by parents; his wife of 62 years, Irma (Ruby), his brothers: Hollis and Bob; sisters: Ula and Eunice. He is survived by his children, Don (Sandra) Oja-Dunaway, Diane Dunaway, Sharon Dunaway, and Barry (Lydia) Dunaway; grandchildren: Melinda, Micah, Martin; Valerie, Wesley, Brandon; Jaime, Kyle and Toby; great grandchildren: Dawn; Luke and Marlo. He would want mentioned his granddogs: Bardock; Noggin, Abbey; and Jet. Grandcats: Trixie, Mittens; Duke, Newt, Zak, Izzy; and Kodiak. Family will receive friends on Friday, September 30, 2011 from 1-2:00pm at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida with his funeral to commence at 2:00pm with Father David Allert officiating. A gathering to celebrate his life will also be held in his honor at Hurricane Patty's, 69 Lewis Blvd, St. Augustine on Tuesday, October 4 starting at 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations be made to community hospice at www.communityhospice.com Our Pappa Jim will be greatly missed and lifted up in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. "I Tell You What!"