David Lee Dunagin

David L. Dunagin, age 67, died April 27, 2023 of cancer with complications. He was employed as a Deputy Prosecutor with the Crawford County, Arkansas Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and had been in private law practice and a public defender in Sebastian County for more than 30 years.

David grew up in Benton County, Arkansas, a descendant of a pioneer family whose Dunagin Farm at Avoca, near the Pea Ridge National Battlefield, was where the first Civil War battle in Arkansas began.

As a teenager, he learned how a business worked and to make milkshakes at his father’s Ideal Drugstore in downtown Gravette, enjoying the usual activities of baby boomer kids growing up in the 1960s.

He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville as a political science major and was a proud member of the Razorback Marching Band. He earned his Bachelor’s and Law degrees from the university, taking a hiatus to join the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in Desert Storm and remained in the Marine Corps for 21 years, retiring with rank of Major.

In addition to legal work, David enjoyed sharing his expertise with others. He taught a variety of legal courses at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, and as a criminal law instructor for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Academy.

David’s civic activities had included membership in Kiwanis, Marine Corps League, and Belle Point F&AM No. 20.

David is survived by his son, Alex M. Dunagin of Whitehouse, Texas; his father, Albert P. Dunagin of Bella Vista; brother Sean Dunagin (and wife Chris) of Rogers; and brother D.D. Dunagin of Bella Vista.

David is also survived by fiancée Rena Westbrook of Fort Smith, long his companion; four special nieces and nephews; and his loved and respected Bonus Brothers: Charlie Plummer of Eureka Springs, and Paul Anderson of Lewes, Delaware.

He is predeceased by his mother, Jane Tebow Dunagin.

A Visitation for David will be at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, 201 North 12th Street, Fort Smith, on Wednesday, May 10, 5 pm to 7 pm.

A Memorial Service also will be held at the Edwards Chapel, on Thursday, May 11 at 11 am, officiated by Judge Joey Self, a fellow attorney and close friend to David. Judge Self will be assisted by others from the Fort Smith legal community.

Interment with military honors at the Fort Smith National Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Marine Corps League - River Valley Detachment, PO Box 794, Fort Smith, AR 72902.