Donald “Don” Lee Dunning

January 27, 1939 - April 27, 2024

Donald “Don” Lee Dunning, age 85, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Peachtree City, Ga.
Don was born on Jan. 27, 1939, in Casper, Wyo., to Frank and Helen (Werbelow) Dunning. He grew up and graduated from Greybull High School in 1957, where he played football for the Greybull Buffaloes with his lifelong friend, Mick Copp. While attending Montana State University, Don’s business career began with his part-time job at Harrington’s in Bozeman. Due to being an exceptional salesman and businessman, he became the owner. Following Harrington’s, he was a broker with Fox Lumber, which took him and Jean to Hamilton, and later Bridger. During his retirement, they lived in Billings before recently settling in Peachtree City, Ga.
Don lived life fully; spending time with family, hunting in the Bridger Mountains, camping, boating, water skiing and fishing at his special place in Shell Canyon where he took family and friends. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan, a car enthusiast, and enjoyed perfecting his yard. Don was a true handyman and was able to repair anything, be it cars, plumbing or electrical work. He excelled at building wood furniture, as well as rock collecting and polishing beautiful stones. Most of all, he will be remembered for how he genuinely enjoyed people and made friends everywhere he went.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jerry Dunning; and his stepson, Rob Whittmyer. He is survived by his wife, of 47 years, Jean Bailey Dunning, to whom he was a loving husband; his children, Debbie Smith (Ernie) of Belgrade, Mont., Bruce Dunning (Loretta) of Belgrade, Mont., Sherri Speakman (Bill) of Republic, Wash., Brian Dunning (Lisa) of Bozeman, Mont., and Mark Whittmyer (Leigh Burns) of Atlanta, Ga; his 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild, all of whom knew him as “Poppy” and that he was so very proud of them all. He is also survived by his brother, Lewis Dunning (Connie) of Billings, Mont.; and numerous nieces and nephews to whom he was a beloved uncle.
A private ceremony will be held later this year in Wyoming. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org/ in his memory.
Memories may be shared with the family at: www.carmichaelhemperleypeachtree.com