Charles John Dunegan

Dec. 3, 1950 - August 27, 2023

Charles John (Chuck) Dunegan died on August 27th, 2023 at the age of 72. Chuck was a father, “Granddad,” sibling, and friend to many. Chuck was the 5th of 6 children of James and Dorothy Dunegan and was a long-time resident of Wichita, KS before spending the last 30 years of his life in the Fort Worth side of the D/FW Metroplex. While he was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, much to the chagrin of his Kansas siblings, he was adamant that he lived in Fort Worth, not Dallas.

Chuck was a Vietnam-era veteran, after being drafted into the army shortly after turning 18. After basic training, he served at the US base in Bamberg, Germany where he drove generals and other dignitaries around the base. Chuck would never visit the Vietnam Memorial as there were friends he made in basic that did go to ‘Nam, and he’d rather think they’d made it back home than learn they hadn’t.

Chuck had many careers: salesman, city bus driver, postal worker, bar owner, truck driver, and a few others. Chuck spent the largest amount of his working life behind the wheel of big rigs, visiting 47 of the lower 48 states, missing only North Dakota. One December, a dispatcher told Chuck that there was a load to North Dakota knowing that Chuck had never been there, but Chuck turned it down as he didn’t want anything to do with North Dakota roads in the winter. He’d just have to leave North Dakota unseen.

Chuck was selfless to a fault. There was nobody he wouldn’t help, no one he wouldn’t offer a room to when in need; his two sons, friends, and more than a few fellow truck drivers all stayed with Chuck over the years. If someone needed help, Chuck couldn’t say no. Selfless to a fault though, as he did more for others than he did for himself. More than he would allow others to do for him.

A good athlete on his own, especially basketball, a game he played into adulthood. As a dad, Chuck frequently helped coach his boys’ little league teams. As such, he was always up for a game of catch or shooting hoops, not to mention always on hand to cheer on his boys’ teams. Or, when the odd free weekend occurred, heading outdoors for a camping and/or fishing trip. Chuck and his boys rode out more than one severe thunderstorm holed up in tents and later, the camper. And there remains, to this day, an unresolved argument over who actually caught a couple of really big fish. Guess it will stay unresolved for now.

Chuck was a father, “Granddad,” sibling, uncle, and friend to many.

As an uncle, he was a favorite of his nieces and nephews, who once lovingly dog-piled on top of him at a family event, resulting in a pinched nerve that would eventually require surgery.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved sister, Dottie, brother-in-law Gary Leach, and sister-in-law Susan (Brooks) Dunegan.

Chuck is survived by his two sons, John Dunegan (Phoenix, AZ), and James “Ed” Dunegan (Fort Worth), and 6 grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother James Dunegan (Fresno, CA), and sisters Mary Blumenshine (Clearwater, KS), Jane Barton (Valley Center, KS), and Judy Leach (Rose Hill, KS), not to mention numerous nieces and nephews (and grandnieces and grandnephews) who lovingly know him as “Uncle Chuck” (and even “Uncle Buck”).

A celebration of life for Charles will be held Friday, October 6, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Lakeview Funeral Home & Cemetery, 12100 E 13Th St N, Wichita, Kansas 67206.