Donald Everette Dunn

Donald Everette Dunn was born September 9, 1936 and went home to be with his Lord on February 19, 2026. He was known to those who love him as Don, Daddy, Papaw, Papaw Huggie, Uncle Don, and Pastor. Throughout his life he was a Marine, traveling salesman, a draftsman for Combustion Engineering, a designer for the Witchman Monument Company, an artist and most importantly a pastor. He enjoyed leading others to Christ and helping others see God’s plan for their lives.

He enlisted in the Marines on January 28, 1956 and ended his service on January 27, 1959. During his time in the Marines he was an outstanding soldier and was awarded several distinctions from his commanding officers. He spent most of his time at the Clarksville Base in Tennessee where he was eventually promoted to sergeant and earned 3 stripes. It was also there that he met his long-time friend and eventual brother-in-law, Nathan Chandler.

Growing up, he thought of himself as a heathen, but the Lord had a calling for him and he was able to help bring many to follow Christ. He saw this as his greatest achievement in life. The first church he pastored was Shady Grove Missionary Baptist in Soddy Daisy in 1961, and while he didn’t quite know what he was doing yet, he knew he was supposed to do it. He continued following the Lord’s guidance by serving almost a dozen churches across Tennessee throughout the years. The last church he pastored was Midway Baptist Church where he and Carol served for 18 years. From a boy who “knew nothing of Christ” to a pastor of 43 years, he allowed the Lord to work through him with complete faith in His plans.

His wife of 69 years, Carol, was his greatest love. They first met in junior high and then got to know each other through school and church. Originally, he only went to church so he could spend time with Carol and as he stayed, he got to know the Lord as well and decided to become a Christian. As high school sweethearts, they were voted as “cutest couple” and King and Queen of the Senior Carnival by their peers. They were married right out of high school and spent the rest of their lives loving each other and following the Lord wherever He called them. Together they raised 3 beautiful daughters and spoiled numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When the Lord called Carol home in 2025, Don spent the next year waiting to be reunited with her again.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years Carol Dunn, as well as his parents Wilburn Leonard Dunn and Syliva Dunn McGregor; his step father Thomas McGregor and Stepmother Rubby Dunn; his brother Dan Dunn and sister Ruth Thomas.

He is survived by his daughters Kathy Harris, Melody Miller (Nick), and Angela Reaves (Mitchell); grandchildren Chuck, Melissa (Charlie), Jeremy (Rita), Kitty (Mike), Josh (Rebecca), Lauren (Kase), Michael (Kaylynn); great-grandchildren Allie, Savannah, Lilli, Elena, Zoe, Coralee, Linus, Michaela, Emma, Christian, Noah, Daniel, Kasey, Maverick, Nova, Eleanor, and Amelia; his nephews Danny Dunn and Thomas Dunn as well as several more beloved nieces and nephews.

While he celebrated many accomplishments throughout his life, we cannot forget his fun and silly personality. We will greatly miss all of the stories and jokes he would tell, and most of all, the sound of his laughter at the punch line. We will miss the guidance he brought to our family and the way he cared and loved for us all deeply. Finally, his artwork, whether it be silly comics or beautiful landscapes, remind us of how he saw the world. Don Dunn was a devout follower of the Lord and as he said many times, “I’m not afraid of the end because I know where I’m going.”

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM Tuesday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road with Pastor John Edwards officiating. Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery with Marine Corps Honors. The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM Monday at the funeral home.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.