Born on April 6, 1925 in Freeport, Texas, Robert E. Dunn was the son of James Arlie Dunn and Martha Elizabeth Gipson Dunn. Most of Mr. Dunn’s early life was spent in the Santa Anna, Texas area, where his family worked as farmers. As a youth, he enjoyed many sports and often went fishing with his eight siblings.
Graduating from Santa Anna High School at sixteen, Mr. Dunn worked at a local drug store, developing an early interest in pharmacy. After one year, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving three years in the South Pacific as a pharmacist’s mate in World War II.
On discharge, Mr. Dunn attended UT Austin, graduating from pharmacy school in 1949 and moving to Brownwood, Texas. That same year, he met Patsy Jean Hunt, the love of his life. The two were married on August 5, 1950. In 1951 and 1956 respectively, sons Kevin Jay and Shaun Timothy were born to the couple. Mr. Dunn worked at the Prescription Laboratories until he was called back to the Naval Reserves in June of 1951. He served in the Korean War as a medic until July of 1952.
Returning to Brownwood, Mr. Dunn was employed as a pharmacist until 1958, at which time he, Rodger Sweeney, and Jody Embrey formed a partnership. The three businessmen purchased the Palace Drug Store on Austin Avenue. For more than thirty years, Mr. Dunn practiced pharmacy at this well known location, later owning the Woodland Heights Pharmacy from which he retired. During its many years of operation, Palace Drug was a famous coffee klatch for Brownwood Lions football enthusiasts.
Mr. Dunn was an active member of the Brownwood community, serving as Calvary Baptist Church deacon, Brownwood ISD School Board member, Brownwood Country Club Board member, and maintaining memberships in Kiwanis and Lions Clubs.
An avid sportsman, Mr. Dunn kept a thirty-year membership in the Llano River Fishing Club and, for half a century, was a faithful golfer on Brownwood Country Club greens. With regard to the arts, Mr. Dunn felt a deep appreciation for music. Both he and his wife Pat enjoyed playing piano, attending Civic Music Concerts, and supporting their church choir in vocal and instrumental areas. On many occasions, Mr. and Mrs. Dunn enjoyed domestic and international travel with family and friends. Other interests included Airstream rallies and playing bridge with neighbors.
Robert E. Dunn passed away on July 22 at the C.A.R.E. Nursing Home, where he was accorded compassionate and loving support during his two-year residency. Mr. Dunn was preceded in death by his parents, by his sister Julia Dunn Howard, and by his brothers James Dunn and Dewey Lee Dunn. He is survived by his devoted wife Pat, by his sons Kevin and Shaun, by his sisters Jo Ann McClellan, Sonja Adams, Faye Hunter and Ruby Box, by his brother J.D. Dunn, and by many nieces and nephews.
Services for Mr. Dunn will be held on Wednesday, July 25, at Davis-Morris Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 a.m., with interment at Eastlawn Memorial. Visitation is Tuesday, July 24, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
His life was defined by total optimism, love of family, faith in God, and unending loyalty to his friends. Mr. Dunn’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew him.
