Dunn, Francis Earl 1924-2014

DUNN

Posted By: Mary - volunteer
Date: 1/5/2015 at 16:32:24

Earl Dunn, conductor, music educator and administrator, passed away at 5:20 a.m. on December 15, 2014 at The Waters of Yorktown, to join his beautiful and wonderful wife, Elizabeth, who preceded him to Heaven.

Earl was born Francis Earl Dunn near Manchester, Iowa, on January 30, 1924, and resided there while becoming involved in many school activities, including playing French horn in the band, serving as drum major of the marching band and eventually becoming president of his Senior Class. After graduation, and acting on his desire to be a College Band Director, he enrolled at Iowa State Teachers College, with a major in music. He performed in the University Band and Orchestra, and, switching to a trumpet major, he paid for most of his college education with profits from his own dance band.

At the suggestion of his ISTC band director he began teaching in the public schools of Iowa, also serving as a member of the trumpet section of the Waterloo Civic Symphony, and during the early 1950s was co-owner of Russell-Goodwin Music Company.

He achieved his academic and music education degrees at the University of Northern Iowa. During the period in which he completed his graduate work, Dunn served as director of the Marching Band and assistant director of the Concert Bands at the University of Northern Iowa. While he was teaching in Denison, Iowa, that he met the love of his life, and they were married on June 30, 1960.

He then taught three years at Wabash, IN before he was named Director of Bands at Ball State University, where the bands grew from 41 to 190 members. In 1969, he was named Director of Bands at the University of Alabama.

During these years, Dunn had memberships in the nation’s top music organizations, MENC, IMEA, Phi Mu Alpha, National Band Association (an organization Dunn helped organize), and he earned honors and awards. He also received awards from Ball State University Association, and the AWAPA Award for outstanding leadership in the Band/Music professions.

Earl and Liz often played golf, spent many days on the road in their motor home showing their Bull Mastiffs throughout the United States. They were the only owner/handler team of the breed to win Best of Show at four shows in the United States.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2014 at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel with Rev. Dr. Ronald Naylor officiating. Private entombment will be held at a later date.

Friends may call at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2014.

Memorial contributions for Earl should be directed to the Ball State University Women’s Golf Team, in his wife’s memory. A memorial service for Earl will be held at Ball State University in January.

~Meeks Mortuary obituary, Muncie, IN
~Son of Earl F. & Mabelle Dunn

Earl F. Dunn obit
 

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