Lawrence W. Dunaway

Funeral services for Lawrence W. Dunaway, 79, of Hollandale will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 14 at Hollandale Baptist Church.  He died Saturday, January 12.  Burial will be in the Hollandale Cemetery.

Born July 6, 1939 in Sunflower County, Mississippi son of William Andrew Dunaway, Jr. and Delores Irene Pyron.  Graduated Hollandale High School in 1957.  He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Graduated with a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Mississippi in 1961. At Ole Miss, Larry was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and a Company Commander in the Naval ROTC Midshipman BattalionUpon graduation, he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy, completed Naval flight training in 1962, awarded his“Wings of Gold” and designated a Naval AviatorIn 1963, Larry met Mary Sue Gresham, while stationed in Pensacola as a flight instructor and they were married in September of that year.  Following his tour of duty as a formation flight instructor, Larry was assigned to Attack Squadron 34 stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA 60) where he flew the Douglas A4 Skyhawk. 

Upon his return to Mississippi, he joined his father farming cotton and soybeans in the Lake Washington area as he raised a family and became a leader in his church and community. After his children were grown, he joined Farmers Tractor Company, where he worked until retirement as General Manager in 2002.

 

Larry enjoyed many outdoor activities with fishing being his prime pastime. He was ordained a deacon of the Hollandale Baptist Church in 1988 (serving as Chairman on several occasions) and was privileged to teach the Floyd Lynk Sunday School class for many years.

 

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Sue Gresham Dunaway; his son, Will and wifeBeth, of Pensacola,Florida; his daughter, Lara and husband, Tony DiLollo, of Wichita, Kansas. His sisters, Donette Lee and Trish Cloud. His grandchildren, Liam, Emily, and Grace Dunaway and Bradley, James, and Lidia DiLollo along with many nieces, a nephew, and grand nieces and nephews.      

 

There will be a visitation from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Monday at the church.  Memorial gifts may be sent toHollandale Community Charities402 Treadway Drive,Hollandale, MS 38748 or the American Cancer Society.

 

Pallbearers: Robert Burford, Wade McCollum, James Domino, Bruce West, Scooter Henderson, David Furr, Greg Bruton and honorary pallbearers, the men of the Floyd Lynk Sunday School Class.