Jimmie Eugene Dunning

Jimmie (Gene) Eugene Dunning, 88, of Lampasas, Texas passed away at his home on January 7, 2023. He had lived in Lampasas since 1963. Gene was born on July 8, 1934, at the family home in Voca, Texas in McCullough County to Ellis Russell and Norma (Weeks) Dunning. He graduated from Brady High School in 1952. He and Willene Mask were married on September 29, 1956, and enjoyed 59 years of marriage before her death in 2015. Mr. Dunning was a Christian and was baptized in Jarrell, Texas. Gene, being born during the depression, 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 re-building Texas highways and roadways. His father and grandfather preceded him in the business and he started to learn and assist at the early 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. He was known far and wide as the “Best Blade Man in Texas”. It was the type of job that took you all over the state at the drop of a hat, his family was always ready to move. During the eighth grade, Gene attended eight different schools in one year while traveling with his father. His own family recounts that Gene was on the road so much that the first vacation that they remember was a trip to Six Flags in the late 60’s. Gene always had a spirit of responsibility and during his high school days, he worked at a gas station for eleven cents per hour and saved up over $300.00. 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 permanent place. After retirement, Mr. Dunning was completely devoted to his wife, and they were inseparable, and he continued to visit her gravesite every day. Mr. Dunning 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 is preceded in death by his wife, Willene Dunning, his parents, and one brother, Dean Dunning. The funeral for Mr. Dunning will be on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 12:00, with visitation prior at 11:30 AM at Heritage Funeral Home in Lampasas, Texas. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lampasas. Pallbearers serving will be Garrett Henry, Jed E. Dunning, Layne Kendrick, Seth Kendrick, Ryan Mask and John Mask, along with honorary pallbearers, Dudley Butts, Marshall Perry, and Jerry Porter. Memorial donations may be made to School Creek Baptist Church. Arrangements are entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home of Lampasas, Texas.

Jimmie Eugene Dunning

July 8, 1934 - January 7, 2023