James Fay Dunn Sr., Natchez

1938 - 2009

NATCHEZ — James Fay “Jimmy” Dunn Sr., 70, of Natchez, who was loved and respected by his family and friends, went to be with Jesus Tuesday, July 7, 2009, surrounded by his family at Natchez Regional Medical Center.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Laird Funeral Home Union Street Chapel with the Rev. Paul Southerland officiating.
Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from noon until service time Friday at the funeral home.
Jimmy was born Nov. 8, 1938, in El Dorado, Ark., the son of Fay Dunn and Jane Brooks. He spent most of his youth in Camden, where he graduated from Fairview High School as president of his senior class and captain of the football team. He followed his father to Natchez to work at International Paper Company when the Natchez mill opened. He began his 45-year career at International Paper as a pipe fitter apprentice and retired as a maintenance supervisor.
Having started a family, he served his country in the U.S. Army National Guard. He then continued his career at International Paper. Jimmy was a member of the Andrew Jackson Masonic Lodge and became a Shriner. He also served as the president of the board of directors of Old South Federal Credit Union.
Jimmy was known all over the Natchez region for going out of his way to help others. No matter the time of day or night, Jimmy was always eager to help those who couldn’t help themselves. Jimmy was a deacon at Highland Baptist Church and served on many mission teams to help rebuild homes and churches all over the south and even in Mexico.
He was preceded in death by his former wife, Rita; one son, James Jr.; and his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Janice; two daughters, Lisa Leonard and husband, Gene, of Panama City Beach, Fla., and Cindy Hebert and husband, Matt, of Union Church; one son, Tommy Dunn and wife, Glenda, of Baker, La.; his mother, Ruth Dunn of Natchez; three brothers, Eugene Dunn and wife, Barbara, of Natchez, Earl McCraven of Wesson and Gordon Brooks of Bakersfield, Calif.; three sisters, Patsy Partridge of Natchez, Nancy Gambill of Bakersfield and Mary Pickering of Greenwell Springs, La.; three grandsons, Matthew Overturf and wife, Carmen, of Fort Worth, Texas, Trey Hebert and Preston Hebert, both of Union Church; two granddaughters, Lindsay Overturf of Bardstown, Ky., and Elizabeth Dunn of Columbus, Ind.; his step-family, Jennifer Truitt and family, Robert Franks and family, and Chris Franks and family, all of Natchez; and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Matthew Overturf, Trey and Preston Hebert, Jeremy Truitt, Brittan McCall, Terry Dunn, Kevin Partridge and Adam Conerly.
Honorary pallbearers will be International Paper Company employees, deacons and members of Highland Baptist Church and his Christian mission friends.
Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.