Dunaway, Robert (1945-2022)

DUNAWAY, THORNTON, GRANDGEORGE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/2/2022 at 17:46:25

Robert (Bob) Dunaway, age 77, of Altoona, died April 11, 2022. As per his wishes, his remains have been cremated. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Terrace Hills Golf Course (8700 NE 46th Avenue, Altoona).

Bob is survived by his wife, Marvel; his children Lynne (Gary) Thornton of Ankeny; Brad (Lisa) of Portland, Oregon; and Jenni (Peter) Grandgeorge of Bondurant. He is also survived by grandchildren Wendy Foreman (Daniel LeCossec) of Saudi Arabia, Ruby Dunaway of Portland, Oregon and Ellen and Gus Grandgeorge of Bondurant; as well as 2 great-grandchildren, Otis and Mabel LeCossec of Saudi Arabia.

In addition, he is survived by a brother Jim (Rita) of Napa, California, a sister Norma Nash of Drakesville and stepchildren Sarah Gillaspie (Sone Lovan) of Altoona and Garth Gillaspie of Pleasant Hill and grandchildren Jackson Russian, Dylan and Mia Lovan of Altoona. He and Marvel’s two dogs, Lucy and Cy, also survive him.

Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Judy (Tool) Dunaway in 1981, his parents, Norman and Ellen Dunaway, grandson Tyler Wacha, and sister Mary Fontanini.

He is also survived by Judy’s siblings Don (Jean) Tool of Earlham and Barb Pierce of West Des Moines, as well as Marvel’s brothers, Dwight (Dolores) Young of Pella, Hugh (Bonny) Young of Wisconsin and Myron (Diana) Young of Michigan.

Bob loved spending time with his family, especially attending his grandkids’ games, concerts and activities and taking them for golf cart rides. He was well known in the neighborhood for walking the dogs multiple times a day; and he loved being outside, working in the yard on his John Deere.

Bob enjoyed his work as a writer, photographer and editor for Wallaces Farmer magazine for 18 years, a columnist for Iowa Farmer Today for nearly 20 years and helping many Iowa farmers plan their estates for tax savings and business continuation.

His favorite work was his volunteer work, mostly through the Kiwanis service organization, having a positive impact on children’s lives.

Memorials are preferred rather than flowers, and can be directed to Mosaic in Central Iowa or Child Serve, providing care and homes to children with disabilities, like grandson Tyler, or to a charity of your choice in Bob’s memory.