Remembering Johnny Dunham

We give thanks as well as grieve upon the death of MLLC member, Johnny Dunham.  After a battle with cancer, Johnny died on May 18, 2021.  A funeral and memorial service was held on Saturday, May 22, at MLLC.

Johnny’s family designated the church to receive memorial gifts.

You can send these by mail to the church, deliver in person, or give through the secure giving page of our web site.  Here is a link to that page:  click link.  You will find the final link on that page for the giving site.  On the page where you select where to give and how much, note there is a line for “Memorial Gifts”. Included is a memo box.  Note in that box “Johnny Dunham”, and the gift will be passed along to the right account.  Thank you for remembering Johnny and his church with your gifts.

The church address:  Martin Luther Lutheran Church; P O BOX 362; Carmine, TX 78932-0362.

Telephone: 979-278-3388

THE OBITUARY

Johnny Dewayne Dunham was born August 18, 1951 in Ada Oklahoma to Orval and Lillie Siebel Dunham. He was baptized at First Lutheran Church, Ada, Oklahoma, on November 4, 1951, by Pastor Elmer Sedory. Their family moved to Baytown, Texas when Johnny was two years old. He was confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, Texas on April 11, 1965, by Pastor Glenn Kollmeyer. Johnny was a 1969 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown. He continued his education at Blinn College and graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He also took graduate courses at University of Houston at Clear Lake. On July 15, 1972, Johnny married the love of his life, Becky Gale Sanders at Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine, Texas, with Pastor Ronald Dybvig presiding.

Johnny worked as Vice President of Operations for Affiliated Rice Milling for 35 years and was General Manager of Consolidated Warehousing. He worked in the same office for 47 years. He valued each of their employees.

He was a member of Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine, President of Alvin Noon Lions Club, President of Alvin Chamber of Commerce, and member of Carmine Cedar Creek Schuetzin Verein.

Johnny enjoyed deer hunting with Mark, Chase, Eldon, Mason, Jimmy, Jonathan and Jeff. He loved spending time in Carmine and visiting with his friends. He enjoyed helping the community by contributing his time cooking for fund raising events.

Johnny’s huge heart belonged to his family, especially his four precious grandchildren. He was lovingly known to them as Pops or Popsie. There was never a conversation between he and his grandchildren where “I love you.” wasn’t exchanged and Tripp would add, “You’re my best friend, Popsie.” Johnny loved these precious blessings with all of his heart and soul.

In 2013, Johnny was diagnosed with melanoma. Facing this foe with determination, courage, dignity and strength, he spent the last seven and a half years fighting this relentless disease.

Johnny LOVED the signs of spring arriving. He would start looking for Indian paint brushes (Indian Blankets) in January. It seemed to be a family competition as to who would see the first Indian blankets. With the unusual amount of rain in the spring of 2019, a second blooming of the paint brushes in July was a welcome sight, almost as if God was giving him one last look while on his earthly journey.

On Tuesday, May 18, 2021, God took Johnny by the hand to guide him to his heavenly home.

Those gone before him are grandparents, parents, and two of his dearest friends Elvis Hinze and Mark Jacob.

God has Johnny in his keeping, but Johnny remains in the hearts of: his wife Becky Dunham; daughter Shanna Geissen and her husband Gaschen; son Jonathan Dunham; grandchildren Ayden Geissen, Peyton Geissen, Judd Dunham, Tripp Dunham; brother Jim Dunham and wife Cyndi; sisters Cynthia Comley and husband Rick, Barbara Ashby and husband Kent; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Glenn Treude, Tony Dooley, Berrie Etzel, Javier Orozco, Robbie Stork, Darrel Neutzler, Eldon Mikeska, Ryan Hinze, James Dunham, and Alan Jacob, Chase Jacob.

Honorary pallbearers will be Floyd Etzel, Gary Hahn, Terry Wilson, Clint Ganze, and Richard Peterson, Jr.

Memorials are requested to Martin Luther Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 362, Carmine, TX 78932.