Edwin Henry Dumas

Ed was born on February 9, 1939 in Managua, Nicaragua. His father was a Marine, who later joined the U.S. State Department. Ed’s childhood was full of adventurous travels around the world, and he loved to regale an audience about his experiences growing up. As a child, he often wandered, seeking adventure, and while he maintained that he never actually got lost, his mother often requested police help in locating him.

Ed served for over 30 years in the United States Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served two tours in Vietnam, and was present for the Tet Offensive in 1968. His other duty stations included Fort Hood, TX; Fort Knox, KY; Fort Gulick, Panama (as an instructor at the School of the Americas); Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Fort Dix, NJ; Fort Meade, MD; Fort Bragg, NC; Frankfurt, Germany; and Quito, Ecuador, where he served as the Military Liaison Officer between the two countries. After retirement, he continued his service as a JROTC Senior Army Instructor in both Mesquite and Dallas High Schools, for 28 years. His passion for leading his cadets to pursue their dreams made a lasting impact on his students that will be remembered forever. The achievements of his students are truly his legacy as he was able to positively alter the trajectory of many young people. He was a member of the MOWW, American Legion, VFW and AUSA.

As a husband and a father, he was known for his penchant for doing things himself and teaching his children how to be self-sufficient. A “McGyver,” if you will. He was firm in his belief that he could fix anything, and would often take things apart just to find out how they worked. As an avid lover of history and reading, he could (and would) recount many historical facts during everyday conversation. He loved dogs, and often had trouble saying no to his wife and children if they wanted to bring a new dog home. After all, it was just another bag of dog food. His Saturdays in the fall were spent enthusiastically watching University of Alabama football games and cheering on the Tide. He also enjoyed attending the Dallas Military Balls throughout the years. He was a devoted husband and father, and would move mountains for his family. He was a true hero to his family, his country, fellow soldiers, and his former students.

He leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Patty; daughters, Karyn (Ken) Fish, Sharon Hoffman (late husband, Douglas), Denise (Tony) Thomas, Dana (Pete) Lyons, Diane Drussell, Kassie (Steve) Klengson, Allison (Daniel) Lopez, bonus children Erin Garrett and David (Brandi) Garrett; and sisters, Theodora (Fred) Forbes and Monica Dumas. He was also a revered grandfather to 17 grandchildren, including Shana Sanchez, Richard Kase, Douglas Hoffman, Jr., James Hoffman, Travis Hoffman, Megan Lyons, Rachel Kase, Cody Thomas, Zack Lyons, Sara Drussell, Connor Klengson, Matthew Klengson, Hayden Lopez, and Logan Lopez, bonus grandchildren Cameron Garrett and Baylor Garrett, and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Haydee Dumas; sisters, Lillian Martinez and Emma Fabian; former wife, JoAnne McKinney Dumas, and granddaughter, Stephanie Kase.

A visitation for Edwin will be held Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225. A rosary will occur Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225. A funeral service will occur Monday, September 15, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225. A committal service will occur Monday, September 15, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 2:15 PM at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations be made to the JROTC Program, in honor of LTC (Ret.) Edwin Dumas, through the Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation page, at https://woodrowfoundation.org, or at PO Box 140062, Dallas, Texas 75214.