Richard Lee Dunn

Rick Lee Dunn, 76 of Zanesville passed away at 12:58 PM, Sunday, August 4, 2024 at the OSU Ross Heart Hospital following a courageous 11-year battle with cardiomyopathy.

He was born May 12, 1948 in Zanesville, Ohio, the son of Earl E. Dunn and Deloris "Dee" Mae Mitchell.

Rick graduated from Zanesville High School in 1966. There he met the love of his life, Kathy Stillwell, as a date for senior prom. They were married on June 30, 1968. Soon after, he began service for his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Bronze Star for saving a fellow soldier from a burning ammunition depot and a Purple Heart when he was hit by shrapnel from a mortar while in duty.

With his natural friendliness and wonderful sense of humor, Rick was blessed with many friends. He enjoyed life and spending time fishing in Canada with John, Tom, and his grandkids, where he was once rescued by the Canadian Coast Guard when he was stuck in a foot of water. He loved playing cards with his poker buddies and making everyone smile with his “Dunnisms”. His spelling was not just bad, but downright offensive (often spelling “of” as “ove”) and fraudulently teased of a college career at “Oscar Madison University”.

Rick’s easy, loveable personality made him a natural salesman. He spent most of his career as an independent manufacturer’s representative in the furniture industry. During his 44-year career, he received salesman of the year more than a dozen times.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Kathy Anne Stillwell Dunn; children, Chad (Carrie) Dunn, Scott (Molly) Dunn, and Courtney (Brian) Lemity; grandchildren, Alex, Ryan, Owen and Sam Dunn, Avery and Nora Dunn, Aidan and Reid Lemity; a niece Rhonda Heskett and her son Cade; and great-niece Shantelle (Mike) Kirsch; and his beloved Yorkie Chloe.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Sylvia (Larry) Burchett; nephew, Randy Jones; and special “cuz” Gary Kuntz.

Rick will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The passion of his life was spending time with them all.

The family would like to thank Dr. Myers, Dr. Pool, Dr. Bhatty, and their staff for their excellent care during his extended illness. Special mention to his favorite nurse, who commented “that a nurse can sometimes get burnt out, and then you meet a Rick”.

Visitation will be 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 with funeral service at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at the Bryan & Hardwick Funeral Home. Entombment will conclude at the Zanesville Memorial Park.