Jimmie Eugene “Gene” Dunning, 88, of Lampasas died at his home on Jan. 7, 2023. He had lived in Lampasas since 1963.
Gene was born on July 8, 1934, at the family home in Voca, Texas in McCulloch County to Ellis Russell and Norma (Weeks) Dunning. He graduated from Brady High School in 1952.
He and Willene Mask were married on Sept. 29, 1956, and enjoyed 59 years of marriage before her death in 2015.
Mr. Dunning was a Christian and was baptized in Jarrell.
Having been born during the Depression, Gene had a special upbringing and was a hard worker all his life. He was a heavy equipment operator as a finish blade man, building and rebuilding Texas highways and roadways. His father and grandfather preceded him in the business, and he started to learn and assist at the age of 12.
He was part of creating the infrastructure for highways all over Texas and could recount which roadways he had worked on while traveling with his wife and children. As a blade man, it was the type of job that took him all over the state at the drop of a hat, and his family was always ready to move.
During the eighth grade, Gene attended eight different schools in one year while traveling with his father.
Gene had a spirit of responsibility and during his high school days, he worked at a gas station for 11 cents per hour and saved up $300. With these funds, he purchased a sewing machine for his mother and school clothes for him and his brother.
Gene’s goal was to find a place where he could settle permanently with his wife and children so they could attend one school in one community. He made Lampasas that place.
After retirement, Mr. Dunning and his wife were inseparable until her death.
He is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Henry (Gary) of Lampasas, and one son, Jed Russell Dunning (Missy) of Alaska; and four grandchildren, Garrett, Jed E., Claire and Anna.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Willene Dunning, and one brother, Dean Dunning.
The funeral will be Jan. 14 at noon, with visitation at 11:30 a.m., at Heritage Funeral Home in Lampasas. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to School Creek Baptist Church.
