Jimmie Lee Dunham

Jimmie Lee Dunham was born on April 28, 1928 in Seminole, OK to Fred and Electa Dunham. He resided in OK for thirty-two years. He met and later married Edith McKee on June 28, 1947. Together with her they raised four children. When he was sixteen he took a trip to Texas and worked hard in Odessa to earn a dollar. He was only there for a short time before returning to Oklahoma and working as a laborer and truck driver for King Transfer. He did not graduate from high school but he worked his way through Sinclair Oil and Gas, later ARCO Company, and retired as a plant supervisor. He and Edith spent many years owning Kiddie Korner daycare center in San Angelo, where he built most of the playground equipment and cabinets. He retired in 1984 and he and his wife traveled to Europe and Hawaii and enjoyed working and helping to restore his friends old vehicles in his shop. Later Jim and Edith owned a pilot car service and escorted wide loads all over the US. Edith has always been his copilot reading the road maps and pouring his coffee. They loved to spend time together traveling to places such as Branson, Virgina, Niagara Falls and Mount Rushmore. In 1974 Jim purchased a 1936 Ford Truck from a salvage yard in Goodwell, OK. In 1976 they moved to their current residence where he built a large shop where he spent five years restoring the ‘36 Ford. He was a member of the V8 Club and the antique car club as well the square dance club. As members of the car club they traveled all over central US participating in national meets where he won awards in antique truck class. Over the years he served as past president of V8 and antique car clubs. He was often seen driving in many local parades with children often waving from the back. Many memories were made with this truck and frequent trips to Whataburger. While residing in Oklahoma he was active in the First Christian Church of Seminole, OK and later a long time member of Grace Temple Baptist Church of San Angelo, TX. Jim loved to attend Angelo State sporting events and many other campus activities. He enjoyed when his family and friends gathered together for BBQ’s and holidays. He was always at the center of the table telling a new joke or a questioning riddle. His children and grandchildren were his biggest and greatest joy. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 75 years, Edith Loraine Dunham. His children Linda Coates and husband Moose, Judy Hiebeler, Connie Brown and husband Danny, Bryan Chet Dunham, and Kayla Dunham. His grandchildren Sherri Thompson, Jana Braden and husband Cody, Holley Moore, Matt Crockett and wife Renee, Travis Crockett, Wade Brown and wife Natalee, Rachel Ballard and husband Dillion, Cameron Ivory and Jacob Dunham. He is preceded in death by his grandson Jimmy Loftin. He leaves behind fourteen great- grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. A visitation will be held for Jimmie on Monday, March 7, 2022 at Harper Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at Harper Funeral Home beginning at 11:00 AM with interment to follow at Fairmount Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to West Texas Boys Ranch; 10223 Boys Ranch Rd, San Angelo, TX 76904. CAR OF THE MONTH Jimmie Dunham's 1936 Ford Pickup Jim Dunham, a past president of our Antique Car Club, and a close friend to many in the club, is the owner of a 1936 Ford Pickup. Jim's daughter called him and told him this truck could be purchased. Jim bought this black pickup in 1971 at Goodwell, OK for $600. The original owner was in the scrap metal business and had used the truck around the scrap yard. It was in bad shape, but all original at the time of Jim's purchase. At the time Jim obtained the truck, the odometer registered about 25,000 miles. Jim assumed it had probably had 125,000 total miles. After five years and a ground up restoration, Jim has a beautiful original 1936 Ford "Flathead" pickup. The only modification that was not original, are the hydraulic brakes. In the past 25 years, Jim has driven this truck about 25,000 miles in parades and tours.