Dean David Dunning

May 2, 1951 – September 12, 2021

Dean David Dunning, 70 years old, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, September 12, 2021.

Dean was born May 2, 1951, to Dr. Arlo and Maria (Timmerman) Dunning, in Moses Lake, Washington. He was a man of adventure and his zest for life began at a young age. As a child, Dean spent his days running around the neighborhood, despite his mother’s wishes, completely barefoot; a habit that continued throughout the rest of his life. His brother vividly recalls fond childhood memories of Dean, from shooting off arrows straight up in the air, just to see how close they would hit, to rock fights with the neighborhood kids, in which Dean could always “finish”.

After graduating from Moses Lake High School in 1969, he attended Big Bend Community College as an airplane mechanic. He shifted careers and took pride in being a carpenter. One of his most memorable projects includes building a home for his parents. After an unexpected work injury in 1995, Dean changed careers paths and retired as a fiber optics engineer from the Grant County PUD in 2018.

In his past time, Dean was an avid outdoor enthusiast. You could find him fishing, cycling, hiking, camping, boating, canoeing, and skiing, and motocross in his younger years. He enjoyed continuous learning, so he was very knowledgeable in a variety of subjects. From gardening to mechanics, outdoor survival to tiling, he was truly a jack-of-all-trades and a craftsman. Anyone who knows Dean, also knows he was a master linguist and storyteller, and he passionately shared his knowledge with others. Dean was a man with a light spirit. He always knew how to make you laugh and could always see the positive and good in every situation. Somehow, he just knew how to comfort others with words of wisdom. He gave the best big hugs, topped with wise words from God.

Throughout his life, he was very involved and active in the church. Most recently he was head elder for Apostolic Lutheran Church, and his church family was very near and dear to his heart. Dean served faithfully and was a devoted Lutheran.

Dean joins his parents Dr. Arlo and Maria Dunning in everlasting life. Those left to cherish his memory include his brother, Ed Dunning and wife, Melissa; his four children: Allyson and her husband, Beau Keightley; Laura and her husband, Brandon Somerville; Samuel Dunning and his wife, Stephanie; Keenan Dunning; his six grandchildren: Bristol, Aspen, Camden, and Nora Keightley, and Brody and Asher Dunning; his niece and nephew: Madelyn Dunning and Egan Dunning; his cousins: Glen Timmerman, Roy Timmerman, Peggy White, Kara Mantey.

Dean, of blessed memory, was a beloved father, grandfather, godfather, and friend. Above all, he was a Christian. He was a great saint, whose love and zeal for Christ was apparent in all he did. As such, and as it is with most great saints, his work and love will go largely unsung and unnoticed by the world, but not his family, both by blood and baptism (his church family), and any who share his love and honor for Jesus. He was fervent in prayer, beloved by all, and adored by his children.

In lieu of flowers, by contributing to The Dean Dunning Memorial with the Apostolic Lutheran Church, you will be helping our family continue the legacy of our beloved father’s work and passion.

Dean’s memorial services will be held at Kayser’s Chapel, Saturday, September 25, at 1 p.m.