James Doug Dunn

Published 3:14 pm Monday, June 10, 2024

James Doug Dunn

June 15, 1932 – October 12, 2023

Colonel James Douglas Dunn (USAF, ret.)

“Doug” Dunn passed away on October 12th, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife Betty and their six children. Doug was born on June 15th, 1932, in The Dalles Oregon to James Bannerman Dunn and Kathryn Dunn (Dutton).

Doug attended elementary school in Fossil and Wasco, Oregon and graduated from Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon. Doug enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the height of the the Korean War and was trained as a B-29 gunner. Prior to deploying to the Far East, he was selected for the Aviation Cadet Program. He received his pilot wings and commission in 1954 (before racing back from Texas to North Hollywood, California to marry Betty McQuown). A gifted aviator, Doug was Top Gun flying the F-104 Starfighter. He flew more than 100 combat missions during the “Secret War” in Laos earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He finished his career as Base Commander and Vice Wing Commander at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska.

After retiring in 1977, Doug accepted a job as the Director of Transportation for Anchorage, Alaska. He managed both the international and domestic airports, the railway, the bus lines and the Port of Anchorage.

In 1983 Doug, Betty, and their dog Juba, left the “big city” of Anchorage and moved to the small fishing village of Dillingham, Alaska where Doug became the city manager. Doug loved the challenge, but most of all he fell in love with the people and the land of this remote part of Alaska. Doug and Betty spent many days flying their Super Cub to their favorite hunting and fishing spots.

Doug and Betty returned to Oregon in 1986 to be near family and to fulfill their dream of ranching. They settled in Terrebonne, Oregon on a beautiful piece of land on the Deschutes River where they – with their son David – started Dunn’s Double Eagle, a Red Angus cattle business. They began with just eight cows eventually growing to a herd of 250 cows and bulls as Doug and Betty pioneered genetic analysis in their breeding program. Doug was one of the founding members of the “Bet on Red” cattle sale – one of the most successful cattle sales in the West. Doug and Betty also grew hay, alfalfa and started a vineyard on their high desert ranch.

Doug lived an extraordinary life: from flying jets and traveling the world serving our country – to hunting and fishing in the great state of Alaska – to ranching and raising cattle and running a successful business. Doug lived many adventures, which then became phenomenal stories that he shared with style and humor.

Doug was proceeded in death by his parents James Dunn (Melba), and Kathryn Petersen (Melvin) and his brother David E. Dunn. Doug is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty Dunn, and their six children; David Dunn (Dorothy); Shawn Kinney (Mark); Mark Dunn (Stefanie); Colleen Luntzel (Jim); Jana Fleming (Keven); and Beth Wark (Jim). His sister-in-law Barbara Dunn, 15 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren – who all loved him dearly.

A celebration of life will be held for close family and friends on June 15th, 2024, at 2:00pm – please contact the Dunn Family for details.