James Wesley Dunn, age 73, of Laurel Hill, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at North Okaloosa Medical Center. James was born on December 15, 1950, in Jacksonville, Florida, to James Daniel Dunn and Ottis May Yates Dunn.

By 1958, the Dunn family moved back to Florala and James entered the 2nd grade at W. S. Harlan. He was a 1968 graduate of Florala High School and loved sharing stories of his days as a proud member of the Wildcat Marching Band. He loved to tell stories about his youth and the many shenanigans with his sister, cousins and friends.

James was an intelligent man with many talents. He opened a fiberglass plant in Laurel Hill called Systems Manufacturing. He later reopened the fiberglass plant under the name Dunnco Manufacturing, and it remained in operation for many years. He engineered and manufactured fiberglass backflow prevention device covers that can still be seen throughout the eastern part of the Country. He was also elected as Mayor of Laurel Hill, and he served the better part of two terms. The relationships and bonds he formed, and the memories he made during these adventures were among some of his greatest successes.

James was an amazing father, brother, cousin, and friend, and he was an avid Crimson Tide football fan. He will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched. He had strong faith in Jesus Christ, and his faith remained strong as he dealt with health issues. He fought hard. He finished the race, and he is now in Glory with his Heavenly Father.

James is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Earl Wayne Stephens.

James is survived by his daughter, Kelly Dunn Schultz, daughter Jamie Dunn (husband James Dillman) of Wasilla, Alaska, sister, Beck Dunn of Laurel Hill, grandson, Chandler Schultz of DeFuniak Springs, double first cousins Glenda Davis (Manual) and Kathy Korin (Jon), his faithful fur baby, Angel, and many more family members. He will also be missed by his extended family, Becky Dunn, Liz Chopp (husband Stanley and children Gabriel, Jack and Alyssa), Courtney Bowan (husband Lemur), Wesley Anderson, chosen son, Derry Kindrick, and chosen brothers, Jimmy Ray Boles, Clyde Chambers and Ricky Suggs.

Jimmy Ray Boles, Clyde Chambers, James Dillman, Mike Kerwin, Derry Kindrick, and Chandler Schultz will serve as pall bearers. Honorary pall bearers include friend Ricky Suggs, nephews Allison Wayne Stephens and Paul Wesley Stephens, and cousin, David (Brother) Mathis.

The family wants to thank Tammy and Ricky Suggs, Brother Mike McVay, first responders, and staff at North Okaloosa Medical Center for taking amazing care of James. They want to thank Joey Evans and staff for taking care of his final arrangements. They also want to thank everyone who prayed, called, and visited during this difficult time.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Evans Funeral Home in Florala, Alabama with Brother Mike McVay officiating the service. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, and internment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Florala. The family will be accepting flowers or donations may be made in his memory to the American Lung Association.

Funeral services for James Dunn will be 2PM Saturday March 9, 2024 at Evans Funeral Home with Mike McVay officiating. Visitation will be 1 hour before services. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.