David Dunham, 74, passed away Wednesday, November 30th. He was the third child born to Henry and Ora Mae (Wilson) Dunham who made their home in the Merrimack Mill Village of Huntsville.
David attended Joe Bradley and Westlawn Schools and graduated from Butler High School in 1966. In July 1968, he was drafted into the US Army. He remained on active duty as a Personnel Records Specialist at Ft. Dix, New Jersey until 1970. Later, he transferred to the US Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1974.
After his tour of duty, David returned to Huntsville and obtained an entry level Civil Service position at Redstone Arsenal’s commissary. At the same time, he enrolled at North Alabama College of Commerce for business courses. In 1974, David and Donna Brown (whom he had met in 1971 on a blind date), were married. Always with a view to the future, David moved to Redstone Arsenal Support Activity (RASA) in the Requisitions and Expediting Section
and worked as a supply clerk in the Equipment Management Division. He concluded his Civil Service career in 1999, as a logistician in the International Logistics Directorate. He served in the Mideast/Africa/Taiwan Branch as a Regional Case Manager. While there, he received several awards and commendations for his participation in Saudi Arabian National Guard Program Reviews.
Following his early retirement in 1999, David became his own boss when he established and managed Professional Vending Services of Huntsville. He provided vending machines with snack and soft drink products to small business customers in Huntsville, Madison, and Madison County. He was a “one-man show” in every aspect of the business, but during the economic turn-down of 2008, he decided it was time to fully retire.
His surviving family includes his wife of 48 years, Donna; their daughter, Abby Dunham; their son, Skyler Dunham; a brother and sister-in-law, Stephen and Dorothea Dunham; two sisters, Linda George and Debbie Yi (Sang); and several loving and caring nieces and nephews.
Our David was mostly a quiet and unassuming man, perhaps excepting his Facebook presence. His interests included college football, history and genealogy research, family cemeteries and meeting with his “First Wednesday” breakfast friends. David was a devoted husband and father, a dutiful son, a thoughtful brother, and a loyal friend.
Visitation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. Saturday, December 10 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral will follow in the chapel at 1 p.m. with Dr. David Freeman officiating. The family respectfully requests attendees wear masks. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery
Our thanks to all who reached out to us with support and prayers during David’s illness.
