David Rankine Dunham

"It's been so much fun.  Thank you all."  That is the obituary that Dave Dunham wrote for himself.  But allow us to embellish a bit.  David Rankine Dunham passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, December 12th, 2024.  He was 87 years old and had just celebrated his 63rd wedding anniversary.

Dave was a Jersey boy, born in Plainfield to Frederick and Jean Dunham.  He was an only child raised on laughter and love.  From there he attended Bethany College, where he met the love of his life, Mary Anna McConnell.  They married shortly after graduation, moving from New Jersey to Ohio and eventually settling in the Philadelphia suburbs to raise three girls.

Professionally, Dave was a manufacturer's representative for housewares product lines.  The 'Best Dad Ever' often traded samples horseback riding lessons, hair styling products, and even a pet dog. Dave was an lifelong Eagles fan, second only his daughters' or grandchildren's teams, and his signature tagline was "If it sweats and wears a number, I'll watch it".  Amongst his lifelong friends, he was known as "Blenderman," and to his four grandchildren he was "Poppy".  Dave's enjoyment of music was a constant throughout his life with the base turned up and everyone dancing.  His tailgating soundtrack included Kenny Chesney, Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra and the "Jock Jams" series from ESPN.

Dave and his wife, Mary, retired to Emerald Isle, North Carolina, on the shores of his beloved Bogue Sound.   He excelled in "dock duties" with his grandchildren which included raising oysters, boating, fishing, Egret feeding, bait fish casting and most importantly…floating.  Dave's close circle of friends extends over five decades.  They include college roommates, fellow lacrosse parents who cheered with him from the sidelines, the "Sound Drive crew," and his tennis friends.  Dave was an exceptional tennis player and played in the USTA 55 and over league when he was 75 years old.  He found tennis soulmates here in Emerald Isle and had great fun on and off the courts.

Dave is survived by his loving wife Mary, his daughters, Christine (Gary) McIlmoyle, Jill (Doug) Spear, Kim (Ryan) Kuehl, and his grandchildren, Tyler, Olivia and Cooper Kuehl, and Mac Spear.

There will be a celebration of his well-lived life on January 3rd and we would love to include you.  There will be an opportunity to share any special memories you have of Dave, if you would like.  Please reach out to the family for more details.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Dave's military service to Tunnels to Towers Foundation or alternatively to the Greenville, South Carolina Shriners Hospital.