July 21, 1953 – October 29, 2021
KITTY HAWK — James Fredrick “Rick” Dunn III, 68, of Kitty Hawk passed away on October 29, 2021, at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters following a courageous fight against cancer and covid.
Rick Dunn was born in Norfolk on July 21, 1953, the youngest child of Margaret Emma Smith and Clifford Dozier Dunn, who both died before he became an adult. Rick grew up in Portlock and attended Oscar Smith High School before joining the U.S. Marine Corps where he honorably served for three years. Rick then served as a deputy sheriff with the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office, studied fire science at Tidewater Community College, and became a career firefighter, serving 21 years with the Newport News Fire Department before retiring as a Master Firefighter in 2004. A resident of the Outer Banks for the last 20 years, Rick also served with the Kitty Hawk Fire Department and later worked at Kilmarlic Golf Club. He was a Master Mason of Manteo Lodge 521, a noble of the Sudan Temple, and past president of the Dare County Shrine Club.
Rick embraced life and lived it passionately, cherishing time with his family, socializing with friends, and always ready for a good time golfing, boating, going to a race, tailgating at an ECU game, and participating in fundraisers for Shriner charities. Rick was an incredible cook who created delicious and generous spreads for his family and friends and even perfected an original barbecue sauce recipe. Rick had a huge heart, big smile, infectious spirit, and genuine good nature, and he truly loved spending time and making memories with his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Rick was preceded in death by his son, James “Jimmy” Fredrick Dunn IV, and his stepmother, Effie Bondurant. Rick is survived by his wife Whitney Nichols Dunn, daughters Britney Paige Dunn and Joey Colleen Dunn, grandsons Rick Odell Dunn and Kade Houston Dunn, a sister Gayle Dunn Swann and her husband Leonard, and brothers Clifford D. Dunn, Allan F. “Frank” Dunn and his wife Rebecca, W.T. Dunn and Patrick Dunn, step-siblings Corey Quidley, Esther Dellinger and her husband Ronnie, and Pamela Ells-Johnson and her husband Keith, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Dare County Shrine Club or a charity of your choice.
A celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 4 at Twiford Colony Chapel, Manteo
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
