DUNN, John Knowlton

With great sorrow, we announce the passing of John K. Dunn of June 9, 2016 at age 91 after a brief illness. He was the father of three daughters, Colleen (Claude) Bismuth, Cathleen Gail, Lori Squire and a son, the late Christopher Dunn. He is survived by seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

John passed away at Beaumont-Oakwood Hospital after a brief illness. A World War II veteran, John completed his pilot training on Catalina Island. Upon returning from the service he met his future wife in the local church choir. He and Donna Aldrich married in 1947 when he began studying toward his degree in English literature at the University of Michigan. They shared 65 wonderful years before she preceded him in death.

John's first teaching position was with Wayne Public Schools where he was instrumental in starting the teacher's union and eventually joined the Michigan Federation of Teachers. Upon obtaining a position at his alma mater, Fordson High School, he began the bulk of his career teaching in Dearborn including Edsel Ford High School. He was invited to apply at Henry Ford Community College when it opened from which he retired in 1989. He touched the lives of many students through the cultural activities program and his English classes.

John remained active as a docent at the DIA and other historical sites in the community as well as staying current with films and his love of books. With his wife, Donna, he shared a passion for travel and together they traveled to 59 countries. When their family began spreading across North America they organized reunion trips to keep the family close. For over 25 years they took their children, grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren on trips that included Ireland, the Caribbean and Alaska.

At the time of his death, John was residing at the Henry Ford Village in Dearborn, the city he called home for 60 years.