With a mix of deep sadness and fond smiles, we announce that on July 1, 2024, Thomas “Tom” Dunham, who graced this earth for 897 months and 15 days, passed away. Tom had a life well lived and a nose well sported.
Tom leaves behind an ex-wife; three incredibly bright daughters (who, by some divine grace, did not inherit his nose); four delightfully knuckleheaded grandsons; four siblings; a horde of nieces and nephews; and his 1986 ASTRO van.
On the other side, he joins his parents, Joseph and Norma Dunham; sisters, Ruth Bailey and Patricia Dunham; nephew, Neil Preston; and his canine soulmate, Katie.
Born the second of seven in Morgantown’s Wiles Hill, Tom’s childhood was a riotous symphony of sibling chaos and neighborhood mischief.
Although sitting in school was not his forte, Tom was an avid reader and absorbed knowledge like a sponge. He possessed a wealth of education on virtually any topic. A modern-day Renaissance man, he was an artist, woodworker, outdoorsman, chef, gardener and survivalist who could invent, create and build anything. If something was broken, Tom could fix it. If something didn’t exist, he could make it.
Tom dabbled in various occupations, including stints in the coal mines, printing press operator, electrician, aluminum siding installer, roofer and mechanic and was the acting mayor of Gene’s Beer Garden for more than 25 years. His greatest professional triumph, however, was his role as Morgantown’s most talented and slowest handyman. If you hired Tom, you knew the job would be done right, eventually. To Tom, time was more a suggestion than a rule. Hurrying him only guaranteed a drop to an even slower pace.
Tom wasn’t just a fixer of things — he was a fixer of people, too. Always ready with advice (solicited or not), Tom shared his profound and passionate views on everything from plumbing to the paranormal. And if you disagreed with his opinion? Well, you were wrong.
He was a man of many talents and endless stories — most of which he repeated enough times that others believed them. He claimed to have taught Steven “Seagull” everything he knows, had a brief “romance” with Janis Joplin and even asked Patsy Cline to marry him. He also insisted he was instrumental in teaching John Cougar “Mellen-head” how to play guitar. Tom never let a good song pass by without dancing.
In his twilight years, Tom became an amateur mycologist and a vocal theorist on everything from the military-industrial complex to the variety of plots by women and Italians aimed at keeping the white Irish male down. He frequently insisted on explaining the difference between fairies and pixies to those who would listen. He often likened himself to great Shamanic wisdom givers and aspired to start a church where people of all walks could gather and listen to his knowledge.
Living by his mantra, “Don’t sweat the small stuff — and it’s all small stuff,” Tom’s laid-back philosophy endeared him to many. His legacy will live on in the memories of those who loved him, the stories he told and the laughter he brought to all who knew him.
Rest easy, Tom. We’ll miss you and your unique perspectives of the world.
A Celebration of Life will be at Klaer Lodge, Chestnut Ridge Park, 897 Darnell Hollow Road, Morgantown, WV 26508, at 2 p.m. on Sept. 14.
More info: http://www.facebook.com/events/3753219391603865
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to help offset the cost of the memorial and funeral expenses:
https://gofund.me/1bbe2a9c
