John Edwin Dunn of Wilmington, NC and Owensboro, KY joined the faithful in Heaven on January 22, 2026. John Ed was born in Trigg County, KY on September 12, 1930 to T.W. Dunn and Mabel Wyatt. John Ed married the love of his life, Arnetta Mae Trunnell on August 7, 1954 and Arnetta survives him. Also surviving are his children: Loretta Lunenfeld Schmitzer (David) of Wilmington NC; Suzanne Murdock (Curt) of Hampstead, NC; Jason Dunn (Vickie Banks) of Alexandria VA; and Kevin Dunn of Cincinnati, OH. He will be missed by his seven grandchildren, Jack Lunenfeld, Maureen and Kyle Murdock, Kendall Marciniak and Brendan Dunn, and Ashley and Erica Scheller, along with many nieces and nephews and others in his large extended family. John Ed was the oldest son of six children.
He is predeceased by his sister, Evelyn Lovell and his brothers Shirrell and Wendell Dunn. His sisters, Patty Merrick and Sue Sumner survive him.
John Ed’s life was defined by three pillars: his family, his faith and his schools. He devoted 62 years of service to Yellow Creek Baptist Church holding many volunteer roles, including deacon and Sunday School teacher. He never refused a call to serve from his church and his fellow parishioners.
John Ed was a proud Navy veteran serving during the Korean War from 1948-1952. He graduated from Trigg County High in 1948 after attending Joiners Chapel, East Macedonia and Cerulean grade schools. At Trigg County High, John Ed was Class President, Student Council, Glee Club, F.F.A, Athletic Club, and the football team.
John Ed graduated from Murray State College with a B.A. in History. At Murray, he was a member of the debate team, President of the Baptist Student Union, Vice President of the student body and voted Outstanding Man on Campus. He earned his Master’s at Western Kentucky University and a Doctorate in Education from Indiana University.
He spent 32 years with Daviess County Public Schools as a teacher and principal, ending his tenure as Principal at Daviess County Middle School. Upon retirement, John Ed was elected to the DCPS Board of Education in 1988 as a member and then Chair of the Board where he served for 20 years.
He was named Outstanding Young Educator in 1966 by the Owensboro Jaycees and Kentucky Educator of the Year. John Ed was Vice President of the Kentucky Teachers Association in 1968 and President of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, 1978-1979. He was also on the Kentucky School Board Association’s Board of Directors. John Ed is the only Kentuckian to serve in leadership in all three of these education advocacy organizations.
He has been named an Honorary Daviess County Judge Executive, and also as Deacon Emeritus at Yellow Creek Baptist Church for his years of service there. October 18, 2005 was proclaimed John Ed Dunn Day in Owensboro Ky for his 50 years of service to the schoolchildren of the County.
This faithful servant has earned his reward.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Yellow Creek Baptist Church. Visitation with the family will be from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday at James H. Davis Funeral Home and from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at Yellow Creek Baptist Church. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Young-At-Heart Class at Yellow Creek Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.