Elmer "Bud" Dunn

Elmer “Bud” Dunn was born on May 13, 1944, in Mena, Arkansas to Idis & Katherine Dunn. He joined sisters, Frances and Louise, and brother, Leo, later came his younger brother, Harold.

The Dunns “headed out west” and arrived in California in 1947. One of Bud’s favorite lines was: What do you call seven people in a ‘41 Chevy Fleetline driving from Arkansas to California?

“We call it The Dunn Family!”

Bud said they pulled a trailer with their car and had mattresses stacked on top of the boxes inside so they could pull over and sleep. He said: “The girls and baby Harold slept inside the trailer, but ‘The Men’ (Dad, Leo and me) slept outside on the ground by the car.” Bud was only three years old at the time, but he was proud to be on the Man Crew, making sure his family was safe. A protective quality that he had for the rest of his life.

The Dunns arrived in south Modesto and lived in a tent house until their home was built in 1952. Bud described their house as having wood walls 3’ up from the ground and the rest was canvas. He said the floors were made of pallets, but they even had a “laundry room”, a designated area for the bucket & washboard.

Bud attended Modesto High and graduated in 1962. When he was a senior in high school, he met a beautiful freshman named Betty Jane McLain. She was a bubbly, popular girl that worked in the newspaper office. Bud worked as a bagboy at New Deal Market. Betty would always want to go grocery shopping with her mom so she could get a “peek at Elmer”. They were married on September 16, 1966, and for the next 59 years they only had eyes for each other.

After he was discharged from the Army, he worked in the heavy equipment and parts industry, spending most of his career at Dow Hammond in Modesto, eventually managing the Parts Department. He was a legend in his field, and well-respected and loved by all. His customers became like family to him. He was a salesman at heart and would often smirk about the deals he made. He would say: “I bought it for a song and sold it for an orchestra.” He had the same spot at the Turlock Swap Meet for over 25 years. Everyone knew they could go to spot number C44 and Bud would be there.

In October 1970, they welcomed their precious daughter, Ticia Jane. She was the definition of “Daddy’s Girl”. She would wait by the window every day for him to pull up from work so she could run out to him. In March 1978, Ticia was joined by her bubba, Jeffrey Scott. Bud never wasted a second teaching his boy “how to be a man”. By his teen years, Jeff knew the ins and outs of an engine and how to build a car from the ground up. Bud was so proud of his kids.

The Dunn Four had many precious memories from the annual Modesto Graffiti car show & parade to many trips to Monterey, 50’s dance parties, trips to Hawaii, cruises, and the Cayucos car show every November, just to name a few.

There was always a car project of some sort in the garage to tinker on. Bud was known as the ‘32 Nut. He built several 1932 Ford Vickys, Roadsters and many other cars and trucks. His garage was his happy place and where everyone knew they could go if they ever needed a tool, a random nut or bolt, or a listening ear.

In June 2003, Bud received another trophy for his wall, and he proudly wore his “Kylee’s Grandpa” baseball cap for the next 22 years. Kylee said: “Grandpa - No one is as cool as you”. Bud’s heart was full.

In addition to his unconditional love for his family, Bud loyally served his God, Jehovah. He was baptized in 1972 as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He served as a congregation elder and pioneer for a time and never compromised his faith. In later years, when Bud could no longer attend meetings in person, he was faithfully on Zoom every week. Even in his final weeks, he asked for an Enjoy Life Forever brochure to give to his caregiver at the assisted living facility. Being a witness for Jehovah was the most important aspect and joy of his life.

Bud had a great sense of humor and always had a one-liner in the holster ready to go. A few of his tried-and-true favorites were:

Good Morning, Mr. Dunn, how are you today?

“Great! Then I woke up…”

Hi Bud, how do you feel?

“With my hands and fingers, how about you?”

He must have gotten his sense of humor from his dad, Idis, who used to answer their home phone: “Dunn’s Mortuary - you kill ‘em, we chill ‘em.” Along with Bud’s quick wit, came a gentlemanly charm that would make waitresses giggle & nurses blush.

In 2016, Bud was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He bravely faced this debilitating illness with dignity, humility, and the strength of steel.

He leaves behind the love of his life, Betty,

His pride and his joy, Ticia and Jeff,

His precious (and favorite he would add) granddaughter Kylee,

His son-in-law & daughter-in-law that he loved dearly, Jak and Mikko.

His only surviving sibling, big sister and biggest fan, Louise,

and many, many, many family members and friends.

We look forward to seeing Bud again very soon when the words of Isaiah 25:8 are fulfilled: “He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces.”

One day in Paradise

Beneath a sky so blue,

I’ll hear the rumble of a ‘32

And I will know it’s you.

Memorial Service will be Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 3:00pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 4940 Claus Rd, Modesto, CA.