Dale Ellerstson Dunn

DALE ELLERTSON DUNN 1919 - 2007

Dale Ellertson Dunn, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather passed into eternity on September 28, 2007.
Dale was born on April 12, 1919, in Salt Lake City, UT, the son of William Alexander Dunn and Hazel May Ellertson Dunn. He married Delma Lou Dalton in the Salt Lake Temple on March 14, 1941. They had 7 sons, 39 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren (so far).
He had a most interesting life. He loved sports and participated in many of them. He moved to Pocatello, Idaho while he was in Jr. High School and went to school at Pocatello High School. He also attended two years at Idaho State University before he moved back to Salt Lake City.
He was an All State Quarterback in Idaho while in High School. He earned the recognition of being the smallest man in the history of Idaho State University to earn his letter in football. His track record at the university is still unbroken and he was a champion tennis player.
While attending the University of Utah, he enlisted in the Army Air Force shortly before the United States entered World War II. His pilot training began in San Diego, California. He graduated from the Army Flying School in 1940 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Air Corps. He was then assigned as a Flight Instructor at Randolph Field, Texas.
He served overseas for 14 months where he was in charge of all tactical planning activities for the Far East Air Service Command. As the G-3 to General McMullin, the then Major Dunn planned all of the Pacific invasions and even had Generals and Admirals reporting to him. He was in the Far East, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, Philippines and the Islands of the Sea. When the war ended, he resigned from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel.
After the war, he returned to school and graduated from the University of Utah where he earned his Masters Degree in Science Education; majoring in Physics and completed all but his dissertation for his PhD Degree.
While at Granite High School, Col. Dunn taught math, physics and aeronautics and coached football and swimming. Later while teaching at Skyline High School he was honored as the Utah High School Soccer Association "Coach of the year". At both schools he commanded the Civil Air Patrol. His Skyline C.A.P. Drill team won the state and Rocky Mountain Championships. Then he served as a counselor on loan from the NEA (National Education Association) to the Job Corps in Nevada.
He and his family lived in Carson City, Nevada for 2 years and then for a year at Lovelock, Nevada in another educational project. Afterwards he returned to Pocatello, Idaho taking a position as a counselor at Idaho State University and then as Director of Educational Development. Following that, he became a very successful insurance agent and won many contests and awards.
Retiring in 1989, Dale and Delma moved to Orem, Utah where they enjoyed many years together with family and friends.
In 1992-93, they served a mission for the LDS Church in the Harrisburg Pennsylvania Mission.
Dale is survived by his wonderful wife of 66 years, Delma Lou Dalton Dunn; his sister Mitzi Dunn McIntosh; his 6 sons, Dale, Tim, Val, Rand, Cory and Mark (he was preceded in death by his son Jary); his 39 grandchildren, Dale C, Jared, Liisa, Adam, Babbi, Brigham, Texas, McKay, Taylor Hannah, Rachel, Jeff, Heather, Stacey, Holli, Joey, Ashley, Brooke, Leigh, Alec, Brent, Christy, Dell, Ephraim, Fielding, Randi, Michael, Zach, Michelle, Janell, Leslie, Kaylie, Cory, Rebekah, Dalton, Daniel, Karmelle, Courtnie and Nicholas; and great-grandchildren, Brandon, Dallas, Austin, Huston, Paris, Joseline, Savannah, Zane, Seth, Pauline, Eric, Isabel, Zak, SoSo, Noble, William, Hewlett, Malachi, Sophia, Aerianna, Coco, Sally, Emily, Katherine, Jeffrey, Henry, Leonie, Amilie, Everett and Dalton (with more on the way).
Dale loved people and believed in "a family of inclusion". His daughters-in-law are Penny, Susie, Laura, Penney, Pam and Michelle.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 4, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at the Sunset Heights Fourth Ward, 500 South 600 West, Orem, Utah. A viewing will precede the funeral at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary at 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Online condolences may be submitted to www.serenicare.com.
Dale Ellertson Dunn led an exciting and full life. For his 86th birthday he confidently flew a small plane over Utah County and Salt Lake County. He is loved and will be missed.