Charles Dunnam

Rev. Charles V. Dunnam, 91, of Abilene passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024, in Abilene, Texas. Charles was born in Paris, TX to Vernie and Irma Dunnam on September 2, 1932. He went to school in Paris and graduated from Paris High School, McMurry University and Perkins School of Theology. He married Betty McElroy on August 25, 1952, in Hope, AR. He worked as a salesman for Buster Brown Shoes before answering his personal call to the ministry. Charles was a minister for the United Methodist Church for 50+ years serving in the Central Texas Conference and the West Texas Conference. He served his civic communities as Mayor Pro Tempore in Argyle, TX; was the first Director of Quality Work Force Planning and served on the statewide advisory committee for this legislative initiative (1991-1994). He served as Chair of Communities in School Big Country for several years and served as Interim/Director when the organization decided to become a separate 501C(3) in 2001. Reverend Dunnam was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Betty McElroy Dunnam; parents, Vernie and Irma Dunnam; his brother Commander (retired) William L. Dunnam, his sister-in-law, Carolyn Dunnam, his mother-in-law Bessie McElroy, his brothers-in-law Tommy and Donald McElroy, Lanny Hicks and sisters-in-law Wanda and Modrall McElroy. Charles is survived by children Brenda Ives (Buddy); Donna Thames (Don); Karen Valdez (Jim Melear); Charles W. Dunnam (Linda); Charla Berres (David) and Vicki Dunnam. Thirteen grandchildren; Carla, Ian, Joshua, Joel, Erik, Candace, Gabriel, Jeremy, Edward, Rhett, Caitlin, Antia, and Victoria and eighteen great grandchildren, sisters-in-law Carol Hicks and Kay Fitzgerald, brother-in-law Dean McElroy, several nieces and nephews, and Erica Lund. Memorial services will be held at Potosi Community Church, Potosi, TX at 11:00am on Friday, March 22, 2024, with Korie Graham officiating. Graveside services to follow at Resthaven Cemetery in Lubbock, TX with Kerry Hurst officiating. Services are under the direction of West Central Texas Cremation. Memorials may be given to the Hospice of the Big Country. The family of Reverand Dunnam wish to extend our sincere thanks to the hospice nurses, to Mary Beth Slaughter, Susan Horker, and Erlinda Rocha for the loving care they provided to Dad in his last four months.