December 8, 1935 - August 27, 2022
In loving memory ~
In fond memory of John Falkland Dunn who passed away on August 27 2022 after a short illness at age 86.
John was born on December 8 1935 in Upper Beeding, Sussex, England. In the winter of 1951, his family immigrated to Vanderhoof B.C. On arrival in Vanderhoof, at age 15, he got a job with his father working at Park Bros. planer mill. The family bought a farm on Sackner Road and he worked with his father until he bought his own farm in 1960. In 1968, after his father retired, he bought that farm as well. He grew commercial cabbage and turnip in the 1960's before establishing one of the largest flocks of commercial sheep in the province.
In 1967 while president of the Nechako Valley Farmers Institute he was one of the organizers who began the first Vanderhoof Fall Fair. He served on the Fall Fair board of directors from 1967 to 1973. In 1972 he was elected president of Vanderhoof Coop Association. He served as president until 1981, during which time the Coop expanded from its first store, next to the post office, to the Coop mall we see today.
During his farming life, he was on the provincial boards of the BC Sheep and Wool Commission, BC Sheep Producers Association and BC Sheep Grazing Association. After retirement, he was one of the founding directors and past President of the Vanderhoof Men's Shed Association. He was very passionate about the importance of the Men's Shed in supporting its members' physical and mental health.
John was predeceased by his sister Margaret Jackson (Neil) in 1984 and his wife of 59 years, Anne (Langemann), in 2019. He leaves to mourn and to remember, his brother Geoffrey (Rita) of Williams Lake, BC and his three children, Brian, Shane (Judy) and Sheila Ray (Ron). He also leaves behind two grandchildren Ryan Ray and Elizabeth Ray and a great-grandchild Mason Ray.
He loved to travel, to go fishing and especially to laugh. His good humour and community spirit will be greatly missed.
Our family wishes to thank the dedicated doctors and nurses at Vanderhoof hospital for their great care and support.