1943-2023

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Howard Lee Dunn, 80, lost his valiant battle with cancer on Sept. 19, 2023, surrounded by his family. Howard was born in Ben Wheeler on Aug. 27, 1943, where he attended Van High School.

Howard met the love of his life, Merle, and they were married on Feb.16, 1963. Together, they raised and loved three children, Marla, Bret, and Matthew. Howard was devoted to his family, and the greatest joys in his life were spending time on the golf course with his sons and enjoying his children and grandchildren at his home.

In business, Howard was respected in every opportunity he undertook. He began his career in banking as a teller. Through hard work and his inherent business savvy, he worked his way up to President and owner of First National Bank of Canton. In his second act, Howard built a successful State Farm Insurance Agency, from which he retired.

Howard gave of himself not only to family and business, but to the communities and people where he lived. He was proud of his community involvement by serving several years on both the Canton City Council and Canton ISD School Board. Playing golf was his passion, and he served as President of the Van Zandt Country Club Board. One of his fondest memories was coaching Marla’s softball team to a State Championship. He has passed on his torch of civic duty to his children and grandchildren. He also never met a stranger. He would strike up a friendly conversation with nearly anyone, anywhere; and his storytelling ability was legendary to his family and friends.

He was met in heaven by his daughter, Marla Carter Jones; father, Orban Dunn; mother, Loyce Gillespie; stepfather, Loyis Gillespie; brothers Donald Ray “Deacon” Dunn, Mitchell Dunn, and Max Dunn; and sister Kay McKinney.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Merle Dunn; sons Bret Dunn and wife, Tammie; Matthew Dunn and wife, Emily; brother Larry Dunn and wife, Carmaleda; grandchildren Christopher Price and wife, Sheryl, Brody Dunn and wife, Cortni, Mitchell Price and wife, Rozalynn, Jake Dunn, Madison Dunn, and Deacon Dunn; great-grandson, Theodore Price; and numerous nieces and nephews.

We would like to send special thanks to the wonderful staff at Hospice of East Texas. We would also like to thank Howard’s hard working cancer treatment team at MD Anderson. We had 10 more years of memories with our Papa because of them.

A viewing was held on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton. His celebration of life was held on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to MD Anderson Cancer Research, Hospice of East Texas or Hope Cancer Retreat.