GRAFTON, NH — David Mears Dunn, 76, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 19, 2020. He was in his home in Grafton, NH, where he has lived for the past twenty-five years. He was born on August 11, 1943, in Montpelier, Vermont, to Jennie (Mears) Dunn and Lorenzo V. Dunn. He grew up on Chandler Road in Wilder, Vermont, until he graduated from HHS in 1961.

After graduation he joined the Navy and worked in Communications for his five years of service. He served in Guam and Okinawa. His last year of service was on a ship stationed in Winter Harbor, Maine.

After the service he returned briefly to the Upper Valley before embarking on a new adventure in San Diego, California, where he worked in the lumber business. He later moved to the Seattle area where he lived for many years before returning to the Upper Valley in 1995.

David was never married. He is survived by his siblings Patricia (Tony) Pippin of Lyme, NH, and Pamela Dunn of Nashville, TN. He also had several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and one great-great-niece.

He is predeceased by his parents and his sister Alda (Jerry) Dunn Terino who passed in 2015.

David was a local expert on Native American Culture and devoted many hours to studying the culture as well as making bows, arrows and tomahawks in the Native American tradition. He was a voracious reader and lover of the natural world.

If people wish to donate in his name, please consider the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner, NH.

Knight Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. A Navy burial will be held in June.