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Obituary:Olan "Olie" Merl Dunn

Olan “Olie” Merl Dunn

Olan “Olie” Merl Dunn

Olan "Olie" Merl Dunn (90) passed through the gates of heaven on Friday, November 27, 2015 at The Peaks in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Olie was born on July 16, 1925 in North Hollywood, California to Jay Haskell Dunn and Hattie Elvira Powers Dunn. In 1942 prior to graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII. His military duty was spent in the Asiatic Pacific area at Koli Pt., Tulagi, Viru Harbor and during the Philippine liberatio. He was honorably discharged in August 1946. Upon his re-turn he enrolled in the Frank Wiggins Industrial School, graduating in 1948 as a journeyman plasterer, cement mason, ornamental plasterer and model maker. During this time he met the love of his life, Mildred "Millie" Durrell and they were married on June 26, 1949. Following the birth of their first child and prior to their second wedding anniversary, Olie was recalled for active duty in the Korean War and served on the Island of Guam from April 1951 to October 1952. He was a member of the VFW and U.S. Marine Raider Association.

In October 1954 the family moved from the San Fernando Valley in California to establish Bluffside Trailer Park below Parker Dam on the Arizona side of the Colorado River. At this time Olie began his career with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California at Gene Headquarters, retiring October 16, 1989 as Assistant Superintendent of Building and Maintenance of the Colorado River Aqueduct system from Parker Dam to Indio, California. Always dedicated to expand-ing his skills, Olie earned his GED in 1969 and a diploma from the National Technical Schools for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.

Olie's retirement years were spent with Millie at the mountain home they lovingly built together in Sherwood Forest Estates, east of Williams.

He was active in the SFE Property Owners Association and established many lasting friendships and was greatly respected for his craftsmanship and willingness to lend his expertise. Olie was instrumental in a group of residents that began negotiations for what would become the Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District approved by the Coconino Board of Supervisors in 1986. Olie was so proud of the accomplishments of the SFE fire station, volunteers and his association with the many people and agencies he worked with to achieve this success.

He is survived by his loving wife Millie, daughter Sharon (Paul) Jones, Newnan, Georgia, son Olan Jr. (Robin) Dunn, Diberville, Mississippi, daughter Laura (John Parmenter Sr.) Dunn, Graham, Washington, and daughter Dianna Dunn, Phoenix, Arizona, 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, his sister Alice Eckardt of Mt. Vernon, Washington and many loving nieces, nephews,cousins and friends.

The family requests that remembrances be sent to the Sherwood Forest Fire Dept., 450 LittleJohn Road, Williams, AZ 86046, Hospice Compassus, 1000 N. Humphreys St., Flagstaff, AZ 86004, the American Cancer Society or a charity of choice.

A memorial in celebration of Olie's life will be held July 16 at the SFE Fire Station.


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