DONALD RODGER DUNN
January 21, 1945 – April
3, 2021
Donald Rodger Dunn died unexpectedly the evening of April 3, 2021, in Vallejo at the age of 76.
Don was born in Las Vegas to Donald D. and Clara Dunn in 1945. As a young child, he lived in the San Fernando Valley before moving to Oroville, which he considered his home town. Don spent his high school years on the playing fields at Oroville High School. He was a full back on the football team, at one point serving as captain of the team, and also lettered in baseball and wrestling. After graduation in 1964, he worked in the produce department of Miller’s Market before joining the U.S. Navy. Determined to “see the world”, Don left a cushy spot in the bakery at Pearl Harbor Navy Base to serve as a boatswain’s mate on the USS Bolster ARS 38. During his time onboard, the ship made three “West Pac” cruises to South Vietnam and the Far East to support the Vietnam War effort. The ship included a small diving crew and Don was offered the opportunity to attend Second Class Diving School. As a diver he helped to clear debris from South Vietnamese harbors, repair critical off-shore fuel lines and retrieve the bodies of pilots who crashed at sea. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Don worked for a short time at a family shoe and men’s clothing store in Davis, where he met his wife Christine. Christine worked as a waitress at a nearby coffee shop and Don often sat in her section on his lunch break. He liked to joke that once they started dating, he never got good service. They married in 1972.
In 1975, Don began working at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Assigned to Shop 72 as a Rigger, he worked as diver at the ship yard, facilitating underwater repairs to submarines. The work that was done at the shipyard during this time played a pivotal role in ending the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. He spent the last decade of his career as a boat operator at the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet.
After retiring, Don was a handy man for a select group of elderly ladies, fixing toilets, cleaning out garages and making friends. His easy-going nature and warm heart earned him friends wherever he went.
Don enjoyed the comradeship of his fellow vet- erans at Veterans of Foreign Wars, Karl H. Kreh Post 1123, where he played cribbage. He learned to shoot trap at the Martinez Gun Club, where his shooting partners would decorate their dinner table on special occasions. As a member of Sons in Retirement, Branch 88, he participated in the bowling and boche ball leagues. He volunteered at the Sutter Solano Medical Center Guild Thrift Shop where he had sole responsibility for coffee pots and small electrical appliances. He also loved hunting and spent many happy times at a family friend’s ranch in Humboldt County and on hunting trips to Wyoming with his brother and nephew.
Don is survived by his wife of 48 years, Christine (née Richmond) and hi b l d d h his beloved daughters (who took his side in every argument), Melissa Cohea (Christian), Megan Shull (Kristopher), and Elizabeth Silva (Mike); grandchildren, Norah and Bennett Cohea; Madeline, Clara and Lydia Shull; and Georgia and Charlotte Silva. He also leaves behind his sister Marion, brothers Michael and Steve (Cindy) and six nieces and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Dorothy Rocha and Nina Dunn. Memorial contributions can be made in Don’s memory to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Karl H. Kreh Post 1123, 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane, Vallejo, CA 94591. Please note “for Don Dunn” on checks.
Due to COVID 19 restrictions, all services will be private. Burial will be at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon.
Cremation and arrangements entrusted to the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo (707) 552-6696 w ww.TwinChapelsMortuary.com.