Diane was born on May 25, 1961, in Herkimer, New York, to Mr. and Mrs. Wiley J. Wildey. Diane graduated from Lanier High School in 1979 and later worked for Farm Credit Bank where she met her husband, Richard. Rick and Diane made their home in the Austin area where they raised their family. She is known as being the mom at every field trip, soccer game, baseball game, and every possible football game her health would allow. She found tremendous joy spending time with her boys and teaching them what they would need to know in later life. Diane was also known for her amazing positive attitude, her warm, inviting smile, and her motto of "Life is Good.” This smile and spirit never shined brighter than it did during her five year battle with cancer. Even through pain she lived her life with a grateful heart and considered each day a gift and blessing from God.
Diane was a member at the Westover Hills Church of Christ and was also very involved with Brentwood Christian School where her boys attended. Nothing mattered more to Diane than her faith and helping others find Christ. Her desire was to be remembered for having a servant’s heart before as well as during her illness. Diane served as a Den Leader and committee member for Brentwood Christian Cub Scout Pack 179 for several years. She saw four out of five boys in her original Tiger den obtain the ultimate rank of Eagle Scout, including her own son, CJ, in 2011.
Spending time in nature and hiking with those she loved was her greatest refuge. She and her brother, Danny, were known to find adventure without trying while on a trail. The story is told of their coming upon more than one bear as well as Diane almost sliding off a cliff just to get a better look at a waterfall in Yellowstone. Diane often found it ironic she survived that episode only to be beaten by some tiny cells called cancer.
Diane was preceded in death by her sister, Donna Wildey, in 2010. She is survived by her husband of 22 years, Richard; three sons, Zachary Thomas Clendenen, Christopher James "CJ" Dunagan, and Nicholas Dell Dunagan; her parents, Wiley Jay and Ethelyn 'Joy' Wildey of Tow, Texas; one brother, Daniel Jay Wildey of Euless, Texas; and numerous friends who held a precious, special place in her heart.
The family will be receiving friends and family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home. A Celebration of Diane’s Life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at the Westover Hills Church of Christ, 8332 Mesa Drive in Austin, Texas. In keeping with the theme of Diane's life, it is her request that all those who wish to, would wear a "Life is Good" shirt to her celebration. A private family burial will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Brentwood Christian for the Diane Dunagan Scholarship Fund, 11908 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78758. The family also expresses their deepest gratitude to Dr. Demetrius Loukas, Texas Oncology, her nurses, and to so many special friends who hiked this journey with Diane. We will be forever grateful.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North I-35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660.
Please visit Diane’s memorial webpage at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com to share memories with her family.
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