John Milburn Dunn Jr.

John Milburn Dunn Jr., 91, of Gainesville died Tuesday, May 19, 2015. John was born May 16, 1924 in Miami, Fla. His late father, John, hailed from Ringgold, Ga.; his late mother, Georga Trail, from Paducah, Ky.

During his youth, John Jr. became an Eagle Scout and a member of the National Honor Society. During those early days, he also discovered one of his greatest talents—that of a true woodwright. In the coming years, he would become a builder of homes, fine furniture, and hand crafted wooden objects of art. John believed he could saw a straighter line with a handsaw than most carpenters could by using a power tool.

After serving as a U.S. naval officer (Lt. JG) during the Second World War, John remained an active reservist for 12 years. The Navy prepared him for his commission in its officer training programs at Clemson College (University), Georgia Tech, and Columbia University.

In 1948, he married the love of his life, Carol Jeanne Cadore. Together they raised three sons in Miami. For almost 20 years following the war, John, along with his father, uncle, Charles Dunn, and cousin, Charles Jr., ran the successful Dunn Brothers Farm in Homestead, Fla. which still operates today. A back injury and a few lean years of farming convinced him to switch careers in his late 30s. After obtaining his teaching degree at the University of Miami, John began teaching science in 1963 at Palmetto Junior High School in Dade County, Fla. He later earned a Masters of Education at Clemson. John taught until 1987, earning the respect and admiration of a generation of students and colleagues.

A private man, his hobbies included gardening, fishing, rambling through the woods in search of arrowheads, teaching himself German, and playing card games. His avocation and passion was creating beautiful things from wood. He spent the rest of his free time being with his wife.

After retiring, John and Carol relocated first to Mountain Rest, S.C., and later Gainesville, Ga. where they spent many happy years socializing with newfound friends, traveling to Europe and Canada, and volunteering in their community. They were nearly inseparable. When Carol died in April 2004, a part of John died too.

John based his life on the values of personal honor, duty, and honesty. All that knew him said he was a good man.

He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, John and Susan Dunn of Ocala, Fla., and Mark and Claire Dunn of Flowery Branch; son, Brett Dunn of Marietta; older sister, Gladys (Dunn) Fortner; younger brother, Robert Thomas Dunn; grandchildren, Colleen Dunn, Bridget (Dunn) Cox and husband Brian, Katie Dunn and husband Wally Smith, Elizabeth Dunn, Ricky Dunn, Kelsey Dunn and Delaney Dunn; and numerous other relatives and friends. John was also preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Dena (Winfield) Dunn.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with interment to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Reverend Hugh Cauthen will officiate. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 9:30-10:00 a.m., prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Seasons Hospice Foundation, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30342 or Marieta’s Mission Personal Care Home, 1940 Spring Rose Glen, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.