In Memoriam: Stuart Dunn


Stuart Wayne Dunn, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend to many, passed away on June 14th, 2025 at the age of 65. Son to Betty Dunn Hathaway and Curtis Alvin Dunn, Jr., Stu grew up in Yuma, Arizona. He graduated in 1977 from Yuma High School and attended the University of Arizona, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science inAgriculture. He started his career at the Farmer’s Home Administration before transitioning to the mortgage underwriting business where he led a long and successful career.

Stu met his life partner Caroline in 1987 at a party, nervously asking her out on their first date a week later. The two of them were married on November 19th, 1988, and spent the next 36 years in a loving partnership sharing the role of raising their two children, Ellen and Garret. A big outdoorsman, he took his family camping across his home state of Arizona, instilling that love for nature in his kids. He hiked the Grand Canyon multiple times, ventured to a few countries around the world, and relished in being home where he created a heartwarming and welcoming environment with plants, cacti, and his beloved dogs. Stu was an avid cyclist, spending endless hours with Caroline and friends in his backyard playground on the desert trails at South Mountain.

His favorite way to beat the Arizona heat was reading a good history book and sharing what he learned with his family. He was a diehard fan of the Arizona Wildcats, and was never far from a TV if the Suns, Diamondbacks, or Cardinals were playing. His playful soul would shine the brightest through music, whether it was playing his favorite songs in the car or seeing live shows all over the country with his friends and family. What we will remember most about Stu is his ability to brighten any room with a wise-crack, disarming everyone he met with his self-deprecating wit. He was a dreamer, an adventurer, a caregiver, a thoughtful and gentle man. He touched the lives of so many people, and will be truly and deeply missed. He is survived by his brother Steve Dunn (Theresa), wife Caroline VanIngen-Dunn, and his two children Garret Dunn (Katherine Knight) and Ellen Dunn (Hank Bobillo).