Rory Dunn

Rory’s sudden and unexpected death was the result of complications from multiple catastrophic injuries that he sustained when his patrol was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) while he was serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2004. Chief among Rory’s ruinous injuries were a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and loss of his vision and his hearing. During Rory’s year-long stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, he became known to all as “Iron Man” as he survived one critical surgery after another. Rory was 100% disabled when he returned home to Renton, Washington in 2005. Rory subsequently was awarded the Purple Heart and named “Renton’s Hometown Hero.”

With much determination, Rory was able to resume his outdoor lifestyle. He loved to fish and hunt. With only one eye, he taught himself to shoot left-handed and became an expert marksman, bringing down trophy elk and deer. He especially loved pheasant hunting. He also was able to resume snow skiing and even went sky-diving once. Rory also returned to his love of golfing and became quite skilled for a “one-eyed” golfer as he would say.

Rory was always known as the big guy with the big smile and big heart. Although Rory’s quality of life was forever altered, he faced his challenges one after another with pluck and candor and always humor. It was his humor that kept his family and friends going while having to watch him face one difficulty after another. However, Rory remained “the big guy with the smile and big heart” throughout it all.

Rory made friends easily everywhere he went, from preschool through high school and on into the Army and after the Army. His fellow Army buddies recount that they knew Rory would always have their backs. They describe him as loyal and courageous and as always humorous. They relate that Rory always knew how to perform his job and duty and did it. Other friends describe Rory over and over as amazing, strong, funny, big-hearted, and a hero.

Quotes from Rory’s friends:

• “I will never forget how much Rory cared about us even in his hardest times. His empathy for others will always inspire us.”

• “Amen to that. I’ll never forget how he taught me by example how to get through tough times.”

• “He was always there to talk to and help me in distress.”

• “That’s it, he was the guy you could always count on.”

• “He was a great friend and soldier.”

• “Rory was a big part of my military career, motivating me all the way . . .”

• “One major life lesson Rory taught me without realizing it was to never give up . . . always push through the pain and suffering.”

• “From the day I met Rory and learned of his life and military story, he became my hero.”

• “Rory was an amazing and strong person . . . I grew up looking at him like a super hero . . . in my hard times, I use my inner Rory humor.”

Rory never married and did not have children of his own; however, he delighted in any time he had with his nieces and nephews. He loved getting down at their level to play any game, read to them or hear their stories. Rory was once overheard saying to one of his very young nieces, “What’s that? I don’t speak chipmunk.” Being severely deaf had its drawbacks for Rory, but he dealt with it with humor.

Rory was a loving and attentive son to his parents. Rory is survived by his mother, Cynthia Lefever; his stepfather, Stan Lefever; his father, Patrick Dunn; his sister, Erika White (Alan); his sister, Heather Vance (Nate); his brother, Ryan Dunn (Shailaja); Nieces: Samantha, Olivia, Jaya, Priya, Austyn, Stevie, Collins and Akasha; Nephews: Trevor, Madden and Zeke.

Rory Served in the 3rd Battalion, 66nd Air Defense Artillery, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. Rory said many times that in spite of all his ruinous injuries, the worst injury would be to be forgotten.

“Rest easy, my friend. We fought side by side over there and then had many conversations at home. He was a comrade who brought laughter to even the toughest moments. His humor, and especially his laugh, was infectious, and his complete candor made him someone you could always count on for an honest and usually hilarious comment – no matter the situation. Even when times were tough – he could find a way of lighting up the room. You’ll never be forgotten, and your laugh will always be held close. Until we meet again, bro..." US Army Specialist Aaron Fultz (ret.)

Funeral Services: Tuesday, April 29th

• Catholic Funeral Mass 11am at St. Anthony's, 416 So. 4th Street, Renton, WA 98057

• (For those who wish to partake, The Holy Rosary will be said at 10:30am in the church just prior to Mass)

• Veterans Military Committal Service, 3pm at Tahoma National Cemetery 18600 SE 240th St., Kent, WA 98042

• In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the DAV (Disabled American Veterans: www.dav.org)