Roy Dunham

Roy Luther Dunham, 76, of Frazee, MN, formerly of Tower City, ND died in his Fargo home on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. He was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in June 2011 and was cared for by his wife, children and grandchildren with the assistance of Red River Valley Hospice. Roy was born on July 12, 1935 on a farm in rural Tower City, ND. He graduated in 1952 from Tower City High School and served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. After his discharge, he returned to the family farm and farmed for over 40 years. He married Jerrilynn Marie Waldhalm on October 6, 1962. Together, they raised four children. Roy enjoyed driving truck throughout his life even after he retired from farming. He regularly reminded his family and friends that he had lived a good life, had gotten to do all that he wanted to do and considered him self a rich man when referring to his wife, children and grandchildren. Roy was an enthusiastic story teller and loved to share tales of his childhood, time in the army and hunting with family and friends. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed traveling to western North Dakota and Montana. He savored the serenity in nature, especially in the mountains. One of the most important things in his life was his sobriety which included his active participation in a 12-step recovery program continuously from 1983 until his death. He frequently expressed that without God’s guidance, the support of his family and the support of his brothers and sisters in AA, he would not have enjoyed the wonders of his life. Roy had entrusted his soul to Jesus Christ and had accepted him as his savior. His faith was demonstrated in his acceptance of God’s will for him. He is survived by his wife Jerrilynn of 49 years. He never once took off his wedding band. Together, they led their family through good times and adversity. Roy took a great deal of joy in seeing how we all grew together over the years. He is also survived by his daughter, Lisa Lipari, and her daughter, Ava of Fargo, ND; Leah McGough (Dan) of Valley City, ND and their son, Zachary and his girlfriend, Shana Anderson of Fargo, ND; Darren Dunham (Deborah) and their children, Adair, Dawson, Dexter, and Andrew of Hall, MT; Nicole Harriger (Keith) and their children, Emelia, Jantzen, Estelle, and Hudson of Glyndon, MN; his sister, Norma Jean Kohler (Kenneth) of Valley City, ND; and his brother, John Wesley Dunham (Dorothy) of Cass Lake, MN. He is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John W. and Helen (Luther) Dunham. Memorials may be given to the ALS Association and Hospice of the Red River Valley. Memorial Service: Monday, November 21, 2011, at 10:00 AM, at Atonement Lutheran Church, Fargo. Visitation: Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM, with a Prayer Service at 5:00 PM, at Atonement Lutheran Church.