We still miss Jim. He was a sweet man! Carolyn and Don Kearns

We knew Jim through my brother, Joe Ellenburg.  Jim attended a number of our family gatherings over the years. It was always a pleasure to have him at our table. Conversations with Jim were easy and enjoyable. He was smart, funny, courteous, and interesting. Our condolences to all his family and friends. He was a fine man and he will be missed by many. May the memory of Jim be a blessing.

Fletcher Walch and Resa Ellenburg Walch 

What a loss in our lives as well as our community.  Jim has been a good friend and mentor.  Gerald will really miss the back porch visits discussing everything from family to flying airplanes.
Although we’ve only known Jim about 11 years, those eleven years have meant so much to us.  We will really miss him.

We were saddened to hear of Uncle Jims passing. I have wonderful memories of time spent with him in my childhood. Keith and I send our love and prayers.

I’ll never forget meeting Mr Dunham the first couple weeks I spent on campus at HPU. Like I’m sure many before me, he was in charge of making sure I had a schedule of classes put together that got me where I needed to go in order to graduate in my chosen study but to also navigate my athletic schedule. Being a student-athlete brought an additional layer of complexity that Mr Dunham was happy to help me take on. We had many conversations about school and life that I remember to this day. He always enjoyed talking about his BMW motorcycle! I was fortunate enough to have him in class a couple times and his experience in business world gave many lessons in class that I use quite actively in my own profession almost daily. A great, humble man that will be very much missed.

Dear John, Laura and family I was so sorry to hear about your dad. He was a wonderful man, he will be greatly missed by all of you. Love jean tieman matthews  your mom’s cousin Cincinnati ohio

I have fond memories of Jim when we both served at 108th Div HQs.  His dry sense of humor always brought a unique perspective to any issue.  I appreciated his candor and genuineness.  A life well lived.  Offering prayers of comfort to his loved ones.

Jim was a outstanding soldier, wonderful friend and a Great American Patriot!   He will be greatly missed.  We are all better because he came our way.  I learned so much from him simply by observing the manner in which he carried himself, the very positive way he treated others and his calm, methodical approach to problem solving.   His contribution to life and soldiers of the 108th Division are too many and too large to measure.  May he rest in eternal peace! 

Too many memories and too few words to express them.
Serving in the US Army (in Mainz, W. Germany) during the early 1960s was the start of my friendship w/ Jim.  While he served w/ the aviation unit and me with an Abn unit...we fatefully connected and shared the last 6 indelible decades together.  The many visits together on both the left and right coasts cemented a bonding that shared values, tall stories, aging, family, faith, and occasional truthiness.  Memories of the 'old' Mainzer days could be retold ad nauseam, in many opposing versions--always freshly for the '1st' time due to neuron lapses.  Annual visits started in the mid-'90s at Jim's 'SHACK' in the hills of NC (a wonderful log house).  A picture of one of the early visits--they were called a GOATROPE --shows Jim top left.  
May the wonderful legacy of Jim Dunham endure in our hearts, a legacy that exemplifies the best of what a great human being can be---rest well my friend.

I first met Jim in July,.1962.  We both reported to Ft Benning, GA .  to  attend the Army Infantry Officer Candidate School (OCS).  After 6 grueling months we both were commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants.
We then attended flight school at Ft. Rucker, AL.   A year later we were both assigned to the same small flight section  at Mainz Germany.   Jim was a bachelor while I had a wife and young son..    All the married ladies kept introducing him to single teachers they were found of and it finally paid off when he met Irene.   We attended their wedding at a castle in Stuttgart Germany.
When we left Germany we both had different assignments in Vietnam but wound up in the same battalion.   
It seemed we were destined to follow each other around in the Army.   However, after Vietnam and the arrival of their son John,  Jim decided  to leave active duty  and pursue a civilian career.  We thought sure we wouldn't be together again but in true military habits we kept up with each other.   Sure enough I was given an assignment at the Recruiting Main Station in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio where Jim and Irene called home!   Once again we got to spend two years in the same location and renewed our friendship and got to meet their newest addition Laura.
After we left there we never expected to be living close again but fate had other plans.  After I retired in1981  a few years later Jim calls and said "guess what?  We're moving to Highpoint!"   We couldn't have been more thrilled.
So for the last 40 years we have again  shared fun and laughter, weddings of our children, trips to their cabin near the NewRiver and to our lake home in VA and the loss of Irene.   
Since that sad time it was our pleasure to meet and get to know Jim's companion Ingrid Copeland.   She certainly helped give him back his smile and fill empty days.
We treasure our memories and will greatly miss Jim.    
Our love to all his family and dear friends he has left behind.

Uncle Jim was such a caring and loving uncle.   When  I was a child and visited Uncle Jim and Aunt Irene, he often had something really interesting to teach or share with me.  I will always remember his puzzle ring, beer stein collection, his pipe and sweet dog, Ziggy.  Most of all, I will remember his kindness.  Uncle Jim would often express an interest in what I was doing, how I was and  what I was interested in.  He left a lot of good in the world.  

Laura and John, I'm so sorry for your loss.  Take care during this difficult time.  

Jim was a childhood friend and classmate. A friendship that has lasted all these years. Many fond memories and he will be sorely missed. Heartfelt sympathy and prayers for his loving family. Sincerely, Jan 

Jim and I were close colleagues at HPU and even closer friends in our retirement years.  There’s a hole in my heart from his passing. Jim was an impact player in his careers: military, business and education.
Sincere condolences to his son John, daughter Laura Brown and husband Charlie, granddaughters Emma and Ellery, and to his special companion in recent years Ingrid. 
Joe and Mary Ellenburg 


Jim was a faithful member of my brigade and I will miss him dearly. 

Colonel Ron Elliott

I’m very saddened to hear about the passing of Mr. Dunham. He was my teacher at HPU in the early 2000’s. He truly cared about his students, even beyond the classroom. He genuinely wanted his students to succeed both in college, and in their careers after college. He was a mentor and a friend, and his humor made him truly memorable. I don’t think of my time in college without thinking of Mr. Dunham. 

I am very sad to hear that Jim passed away. I was his caregiver for almost 4 years. He became a good friend as well as a client. He was a gentleman first of all. He was always kind to me and I enjoyed my time working with him. He loved his family very much and was very proud of them. Most of our conversations were about our families. We enjoyed our weekly trip to Tex and Shirley's, which we started after he found out my son worked there. They enjoyed exchanging jokes. We had a few phone conversations after I left his home. I regret that I couldn't visit during Covid. We both knew how much we respected each other and I'm glad for that.  RIP and thank you, Jim, for your military service and friendship. My condolences to Laura, John, Ingrid and his grandchildren.
Love, Paula

We were so sorry to learn of Jim's death.  We were neighbors when we lived at Addison Creek.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

Love, Carolyn and Don Kearns

Jim was a dear friend. His love for our beautiful NC mountains is the reason we now love Ashe Co so much. You will truly be missed. Rest In Peace sweet friend❤️

Jim Dunham was my professor at HPU, friend, mentor, and a gentleman. He will be missed sorely. 😢

Sorry for your loss I really enjoyed talking to him sending  prayers and thoughts 

Uncle Jim was a man I looked up to. One of the reasons I served in the military was because of his service. He set a very high standard. I will miss him.

OBITUARY

James Stewart Dunham

25 January, 1939 – 23 July, 2021

Sechrest-Davis Funerals and Cremations

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