Harry R. Dunn Jr.

Harry Richard Dunn, age 100 years 10 months, passed away at his home of 61 years surrounded by his children on September 10, 2025. Harry was born in Logan, West Virginia in 1924 and was the fourth of ten children. At the age of 19, he was drafted and served in the Army Air Force (AAF, later to become the U. S. Air Force by act of Congress in 1947) in World War II from 1943 and was discharged as a Sergeant in 1946. His service included being stationed at Hammer field at the Army Air Force base at Muroc California (now Edwards Air Force Base) where flight crews for B24 bombers trained before being deployed overseas. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the AAF, he attended Bowling Green College of Commerce in Bowling Green, KY and graduated 3 years later with a degree in accounting. While in school, he met the love of his life Bettie K. Dearing of Bowling Green KY. They married on November 20, 1949, had three children and remained married for almost 72 years until Bettie’s death in 2021. Harry’s first accounting job was working with the water company in Logan, WV and he later began a long and successful career with Genesco (General Shoe Company) in Nashville beginning in 1952. He became a CPA in 1957 and his career with Genesco took him and his family to company offices in New York for five years and then back to Nashville for ten years. During his work, he was assigned to consult with a licensee company named ADOC that operated a shoe manufacturing plant and network in San Salvador, El Salvador. In 1973, Harry, Bettie and their daughter Melinda moved to El Salvador and lived there from 1973 until 1979. For at least ten years, he continued to operate a raw material purchasing office for ADOC and oversaw obtaining, maintaining and enforcing trademarks for ADOC. He officially retired from consulting in 2010.

Harry was active in the Masonic Lodge and was in his 80th year as a Mason, beginning his membership in 1945 in Greenville, WV. He transferred his membership in 1985 to John B. Garrett Lodge #711 in Nashville, serving as Master of the Lodge in 2020. He became a member of Scottish Rite in November 1986, became a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1991 and coroneted a 33rd degree Honorary in 2007. He is also a member of The Royal Order of Scotland and the Order of the Eastern Star. He joined Al Menah Shrine in November 1986 and the Legion of Honor, an all military unit, in December 1986. He served as Commander of the Legion of Honor in 1995, 2000 and 2005. He was Commander of the Southeastern Shrine Association Legion of Honor for the year 2017- 2018. Harry was a recipient of the International Legion of Honor Distinguished Service Award. He remained continually active in Masonry and Shrine, having served as Worshipful Master at age 97 and even participated in a color guard at age 98. Harry and Bettie were members of Woodson Chapel Church of Christ and they were strong in their faith. Harry was involved in the construction and founding of two churches, the first in New York from 1957 to 1964, and the second in El Salvador from 1976 to 1977. He literally helped build both church buildings alongside many other volunteers and church members.

In 1971, the Board of Elders and Deacons of the First Christian Church of Nashville decided to form a new primary level educational school starting with grades K thru 6. As Chairman of the Board, Harry led the Board to make the vision become a reality. This school was Franklin Road Academy (FRA), 4800 Franklin Road, Nashville, Tennessee. In 1982, he supervised the separation of FRA from the church and FRA became a separate incorporated organization with grades K through 12. It is now a premier independent coeducational school that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Independent Schools. It had enrollment of approximately 1126 students and is now in its 54th year of operation. As recently as July 25, Harry regularly worked out at the Brentwood YMCA several times a week with his many wonderful and cherished friends and staff. In the past year, they designated Tuesdays as “Harry Dunn” day, on which they wore the “Harry Dunn” t-shirts they had printed in honor of his 100th birthday. He has been a member there since 2001 and he had great respect for and dedication to the YMCA and its missions.

Harry is preceded in death by his parents Harry R. Dunn Sr. and Beulah Grace Martin Dunn; spouse Bettie K. Dunn; sisters Joan White, Frances E. Bales, and Jean Marie Bales; brothers Robert L. Dunn, James H. Dunn, Walter J. Dunn, and Carl D. Dunn. Harry is survived by sisters Kellen Martin, Ballard, WV and Louise Davis, Nashville; by his children Dale R. Dunn, DDS (Brenda) of Nashville, Attorney Douglas L. Dunn (Jennifer) of Knoxville, TN, Melinda K. Dunn, RN of Nashville, by granddaughters Rachel L.D. Ferguson (Benton) of Durham, NC and Sarah R. Dunn of Maryville, TN. He also leaves nieces, nephews, and many dear friends from all over the world.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday September 17, 2025 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM and on Thursday September 18, 2025, visitation will be held from noon to 1:00 PM, funeral service at 1:00 PM and graveside with military honors after the service. All services will take place at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204. Legion of Honor members will be pallbearers.

Harry’s sisters and children offer their deepest and sincerest thanks to the kind friends and highly skilled caregivers that assisted and supported Harry this year, to the wonderful professionals at Alive Hospice, to the members and leaders at Woodson Chapel Church of Christ and the ministries that strengthened and supported his Christian faith, to all of his Masonic brothers and members of Scottish Rite that visited him, took him to meetings, continuously stayed in contact with him, and supported him, and to all of his beloved friends that he cherished at the YMCA. Your love and support for our (brother and) dad was amazing and will never be forgotten as we saw how your care and kindness made his days brighter and made him feel loved, comfortable, and happy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation in Harry’s honor to the following worthy causes that he supported: Shriners Children's Hospital, YMCA of Middle Tennessee, and Alive Hospice.