James Allen Dunkelbarger

James Allen “Dunk” Dunkelbarger, 86, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 19, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona. He was born on March 1, 1939, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to Lawrence and Vivian Dunkelbarger. James grew up with a quiet strength and a kind and patient heart that he carried throughout his life.

After high school he entered the Air Force, serving from 1957-1962 as an aircraft mechanic, spending the majority of his time at Williams and Luke Air Force Bases. His pride to work on was the F86. After the Air Force he continued as a mechanic, but traded airplanes for automobiles. He enjoyed his time at Astro Auto and eventually made a move to Maricopa County and worked on their fleet of vehicles until retirement. Based on some stories he told, his favorite times were taking the sheriff’s vehicles for test drives.

While still in the Air Force, James met the love of his life, Marie Nasif, thanks to a blind date arranged by mutual friends. They dated for several years and on June 29, 1963 they were married at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, their church home for many decades to come. James and Marie had 2 daughters. They spent the past sixty plus years together enjoying life in the Phoenix area.

James was involved with Outreach and Hospitality at St Christopher’s and when he and Marie moved to Tucson to be closer to family, they attended Christ the King. James was also involved with the Veteran’s Club in the Sunflower Community.

James enjoyed camping, fishing, cruises, reading, classic cars (most notably his ‘48 Mercury), and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

James is survived by his wife Marie; his daughters: Joy Dunkelbarger-Reed and Gail (Jonathan) Barrett; and 4 grandchildren: Blake and Caitlyn Reed, Adrian and Chase Barrett. James is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Joyce and Virginia (Ginny), and son-in-law Brent Reed.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made in James’ name to either St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Sun City, All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Phoenix, Christ the King Episcopal Church in Tucson, or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.