Vernon Malcolm Dunn

FORT WORTH-Vernon Malcolm Dunn passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at the age of 95.
Celebration of life: 11 a.m. Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Brown Owens & Brumley’s Joe B. Brown Memorial Chapel.
Visitation: 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday prior to the service.
Interment: Vernon will be laid to rest with his beloved wife, Beverly, in Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit organization that builds comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital.
Vernon was born April 27, 1923, in Waco, Texas as the second child of Ollie Lee and William Preston Dunn. While still young, his family moved to Trinidad, Texas where he remained until he graduated from Trinidad High School in May of 1941. In November of 1941, he enlisted in the United States Navy, one week before Pearl Harbor was bombed. In December of 1941, he was put onboard the USS Pennsylvania as a radar man and served in this capacity for 6 years from 1941 to 1947, when he was honorably discharged. He spent his time in the Navy fighting in the Pacific War, receiving honors such as, Good Conduct Navy Commendation, The Victory Medal, The American Area, Philippine Liberation with 2 stars, The Asiatic and Pacific Campaign.
In April of 1945, while on leave in Oakland, California, he met Beverly Cottrell on a blind date. They married later that year on November 11, 1945. They were married 72 years before she passed away in 2017.
Vernon lived in California from 1945 to 1950 when he moved Beverly and his son, Steven, back to his home state of Texas. They settled in Fort Worth and added 2 daughters, Bonita and Susan to the family. He had a career as an electrician with both General Dynamics and then Bell Helicopter, from which he retired in 1988 after 30 years of service. While living in Fort Worth, Vernon attended James Avenue Baptist Church where he enjoyed serving as a deacon and singing in the choir. He had made lifelong friends and had fond memories of his many years there.
In 1994, after years of retirement in Fort Worth, Vernon and Beverly moved to Tyler, Texas where they became very involved in Green Acres Baptist Church. There he enjoyed singing and traveling with the senior choir along with his wife, and bowling.
In 2013, Vernon and Beverly moved back to Fort Worth to spend their remaining years close to their children and grandchildren. Vernon enjoyed playing and watching sports, but especially loved the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers and would attend games any chance he had. He loved to play and teach his kids and grandkids cards and dominoes, with his favorite being 42. He was always supportive of his children and grandchildren’s many school activities, loved spending time with his family and was always positive and encouraging to them all. His gentle nature, positive attitude, big smile and fatherly advice such as, “Don’t take any wooden nickels” will be missed by all of his friends and family.
Survivors: Vernon is survived by his son, Steven Dunn and wife, Georgia Ann; daughter, Bonita Shahan and husband, Richard; daughter, Susan Beaman and husband, Curtis; sister, Dolores Rix; eight grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren.

Brown Owens & Brumley Family Funeral Home
425 S. Henderson St.
(817) 335-4557