James "J.W." Walter Dunn, Jr.

James Walter Dunn Jr. (J.W.), 70, passed away on Friday, October 29, 2021. Born in Montgomery County, NC on May 1, 1951, he was the son of the late James Walter Dunn Sr. and Glennie Lee Greene Dunn. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife and mother to his children, Phyllis Smith Dunn.

J.W. was no stranger to hard work and was a great provider. He was the owner of J. W. Dunn Construction. He enjoyed working with his hands and helping those in need. He had high expectations; he expected things of himself, and he expected others to do their part. When he loved you, he loved with his whole heart. Under his tough exterior there was a very kind, gentle man who loved his family and friends. He was lovingly known by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Papa Dunn.

J.W. loved hunting, fishing, boating, and gardening. He loved being outdoors and had a fondness for Lake Tillery since he was a young boy. In his younger days, he was one of the best water skiers on the lake. He would glide across the water and jump wakes like no other.

J.W. is survived by his children, Sherry Dunn Haszto and husband Kenneth of Winston Salem, NC and Karen Dunn Gossett and husband Scooter of China Grove, NC; his grandchildren, Elizabeth Haszto Philyaw, Garrett Grey Gossett, Kevin Grindstaff and Stephanie Haszto Pitt; his great-grandchildren Maddie, Cora, and Alisa; his brother David P. Dunn; his nephew Jonathan Dunn and niece Alicia Bower; his dear friend Don Thompson and his best friend Robert Lovin and wife Rosemary.

The following quote depicts the life of J.W. The Man in the Arena: "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt.

Daddy, you are loved immensely and will be missed tremendously. We find comfort knowing you are reunited with mom, and we will see you both again one day. Love you always and forever!

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Bumgarner Family Funeral Service 620 Albemarle Road, Troy, NC. Services to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of J.W. to the Lake Tillery Fire & Rescue-Station 10 in Montgomery County 7913 NC-73, Mt. Gilead, NC 27306.