Donald Lawrence Dunn
Donald Lawrence Dunn, age 64 passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 in Reno Nevada. Donald was known by many names, Donnie, Larry or Don. He was born on June 24, 1955, in Ironton Missouri to his late parents Donald and Edna (Hammack) Dunn.
On March 2, 1975, Donnie was married to Rebecca (Anderson) Dunn and they had three daughters. Donnie is survived by his brother Richard Dunn and nephew Richard Jr of Ironton Missouri, his sister Sylvia Beard and her husband Dennis of Pilot Knob Missouri, his former wife Rebecca Dunn of Carson City Nevada, his three daughters and their spouses, Deborh and Alex Cañas of Dayton Nevada, Donna and Pasquale Rodriquezof Carson City Nevada, Dean’na and Leathan Renfrow of Carson City Nevada, 7 grandchildren Jonathan Dunn-Cañas, Nicolas Cañas, Nina Johnson, Britney Sanchez, Deanina Dunn-Renfrow, Kelsey Dunn-Renfrow and Makayla Renfrow, 7 great grandchildren Nevaeh, Raelynn, Quincy, Yoleena, Sophia, Victoria, and Cassandra, an abundance of extended family in Missouri and he leaves behind his four-legged friend “Rocky” who was his constant companion in his later years.
Donald aka Donnie was a jack of all trades, he worked in the trucking industry for 19 years in the Lake Tahoe Basin area where he resided for 25 years. If you could not find him in Tahoe he would be found back home in Ironton Missouri where he had a network of family.
The allure of the road naturally lent to his time in the transportation industry as a truck driver, which he had a passion for. He moved his wife and daughters to Kings Beach, Ca where they resided for over 25 years. During his time in Tahoe he worked for Cal Trans, Ndot, and a couple other trucking companies. When he moved back to Missouri, he continued his truck driving journeys.
In 1973, he received an honorable discharge from the Army. During his time served he became a master boilermaker welder. Upon his departure from the Army he held a Naval clearance where he worked with the 32nd naval fleet. Donnie was an engineer, boilermaker-welder, and a diesel mechanic.
Donnie loved cars and he had been an avid collector and builder since the age of 15, he developed a lifelong passion for riding his Harley’s as well. The freedom he felt on his bike was a feeling he readily shared with friends and family and he loved being able to travel and work on his vehicles and bikes. His spectacular talent of rebuilding and fixing vehicles earned him a valuable reputation as a the “go to” guy for restoring cars and motorcycles.
Travel and adventure were a zest for life he yearned for. The open road on a Harley, seeing what was around the next bend was a philosophy of life for him. When not driving on the roads or working on cars and motorcycles, he could be found spending time with his friends and family.
He was a free spirit in the classical mold and spending time with friends and family kept him grounded. He laughed and told stories of his life and passed on his wisdom. He had more stories than anyone could imagine; just when you thought you heard them all, he would tell another story!
He will be missed so very much by those who knew him as Dad, Pops, and of course affectionately, Ugly Old Fart! Those of us who had the privilege of knowing him will never be able to forget him.
A Celebration of Life ceremony is to be announced at a later date.
