James R. (Jim) Dunn was born August 4, 1934 in Truman, Arkansas to Ila Fern and John M. Dunn, and passed away February 3, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, after a short battle with AML. 

 

He is survived by wife Patricia Kepler-Weir, his children Mary A. Dunn, James R. (Kathleen) Dunn Jr., and stepchildren Lori (Larry) Lavin, David Buesing, Kristy (Brian) Miles, and Robbin (Andrew) Speed; a brother David, two sisters Virginia Purcel and Carolyn Davis, and sister-in-law Linda Dunn, along with eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, enough for his own debate team. 

 

Preceding him in death are his parents, Ila Fern and John M. Dunn, his wife Carol Wilkins Dunn, infant son John Victor Dunn, his wife Janet M. Buesing Dunn, older brother, known as ‘Buddy’ who passed away as a young child, twin brothers Jack and Jerry Dunn, sister-in-law Sharon Dunn, and brother-in-law George Purcell. 

 

Jim graduated from Sexton High School where he was known to have jumped out of the third floor chemistry room and was an active member of the debate team. He was also active in Demolay, a Masonic youth group. He was in the Army, serving in Korea, and was honorably discharged as a Chaplins Assistant. 

 

He married Carol Wilkins Dunn in 1960 with whom he had three children. During this time he graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in History and started working for the USDA. He transitioned to DoD-Defense Logistics Services Center as a computer programmer in 1966 and moved the family to Battle Creek in 1970. He and Carol later divorced. 

 

In 1981, Jim met Janet M. Buesing whom he married March 20, 1982. In 1984, he relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. The family followed a few months later. They moved south to Pensacola, Florida two years later. He retired from the DoD-Defense Finance Accounting Service not long after his beloved Jan passed away in 1997. 

 

Having been raised as a Master Mason in 1955, he later earned his 32nd Degree. After Jan’s passing, he began committing more of his free time to his Masonic endeavors. He loved to call bingo while helping to raise money for the Shriners Hospitals and to transport children and their families to the Shrine Hospital in southern Florida. 

 

In 2012, Jim married his wife, Patricia Kepler Weir. They traveled together enjoying life. As  Jim became sick, she has been invaluable in helping him. 

 

Throughout his life, Jim was active in church, often teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. He was a voracious reader, focusing on biblical studies, Civil War history, and flying. 

 

Memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026, 1:00 PM, at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 N. 9th Avenue, Pensacola, Florida 32514. Father Matt Dollhausen will be officiating. A luncheon will be served at the church following the service. There will be a second service in Lansing, Michigan, date and time to be determined. Interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital or the American Cancer Society.