Jim Dunning's family considered him a man who pursued his objectives with single-minded zeal.
No day in his life illustrates that better than Nov. 29, 1950, when Mr. Dunning, then a Marine first lieutenant, led his transport platoon of drivers and mechanics in seizing a strategic hill in the face of heavy enemy mortar and machine-gun fire. For this heroic Korean War feat, he was awarded the Silver Star.
His action took place during a crucial period for U.S. forces and their allies, only a month after hundreds of thousands of Red Chinese troops entered the war on North Korea's side and swarmed southward.
As his Silver Star citation stated, "By his forceful and determined leadership, cool courage under fire and daring tactics at great risk to his own life ... he contributed materially to the recapture of the position and immediately assisted in organizing a hasty defense of the hill, which subsequently repulsed all hostile counterattacks."
James Warren Dunning Sr., 90, died at Gwinnett Medical Center of complications following a fall at his Grayson home. His memorial service is 3 p.m. Sunday at Grayson United Methodist Church. Tom W. Wages Funeral Service, Lawrenceville Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Greenfield, Tenn., Mr. Dunning was a student at what is now the University of Memphis at the outbreak of World War II. He joined the Marines in 1942 and served in Hawaii during most of the war as a keeper of classified documents -- including, as he told his family years later, plans for invading Japan. He left active duty in 1954 but remained in the reserves until 1963, retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
In the mid-1950s he studied pharmacy at the University of Georgia. After graduation, he worked for several Atlanta pharmacies until 1966 when he bought his first drug store, located on Candler Road.
"It was a struggling business when Daddy bought it, but he turned it around," said his son, Kenneth Dunning of Grayson. "It was a vibrant enterprise when he sold it in 1972."
Four years later, he bought a rundown drug store at the intersection of Briarcliff and Lavista roads. After two years of making improvements there, he sold it in order to care for his wife of nearly 30 years, Laura Dunning, who was dying of cancer.
Over the next nine years, he worked for several drug store chains, but ended his pharmacy career in 1987. "My father was a born entrepreneur. He wasn't cut out to work for a chain," said another son, James Dunning Jr. of Marietta.
Instead, he turned to investing in residential real estate, mainly in trailers and duplexes. It turned out to be a hands-on venture for him. "Daddy had a mechanical bent, and he enjoyed making even difficult repairs at his properties," Kenneth Dunning said.
Retiring in 2000, he devoted himself to gardening, cooking spicy dishes and watching the Braves and Falcons on TV, but also to his church.
The Rev. Jim Reavis, a Grayson UMC pastor, called Mr. Dunning a super student in the church's classes.
"Jim asked penetrating questions and always was a chapter ahead of the rest of his class," he said. "He also was an energetic member of our seniors ministry, visiting shut-ins and motivating them to stay active."
Also surviving are two granddaughters and two great-granddaughters.
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