James Dunkin Obituary
James
Edward
Dunkin
June 9, 1940 - April 25, 2023
Born in Fulton, MO
Resided in Blue Springs, MO
James Edward Dunkin
1940-2023
James Edward Dunkin was born to Edward I. Dunkin & Lula Mae Pollock on June 9, 1940, in Fulton, Callaway, Missouri. His family moved to St. Joseph during his early years, and they moved to Mexico, Missouri about 1948. In 1958, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri and he graduated from Central High School.
Jim was an avid model airplane enthusiast. He began his modeling career at the age of 11 by building an Ace Whitman rubber stick model. Then about 1957 he learned of FAI team race. In 1967, Jim and his partner, Bill Wright, qualified for and competed on the 1968 team. They flew for another 8 years and competed on the 1970, 1972, and 1976 US teams. Those international trips provided many contacts and more knowledge of the team-race engines and thus his collection of 2.5cc size engines began. Jim kept data on the engines and in 2011 published a book on that size engine named International Reference Book of .15 CI/2.5 cc of Model Airplane Engines. He also researched and wrote a biography of Walter H. Righter named Dennymites, Drones, & More (2008).
He married Sally Anne Batz on February 12, 1977. They settled in Blue Springs in 1980 after designing and building an earth-covered house. He has four stepchildren, Thomas K. Batz, Timothy J. Batz, Patricia L. Sedge and the late Wilma Marie Lombardo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Doris Van Wormer.
He worked for the MODOT Highway department for over 35 years. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Degree from the University of Missouri in 1988. In 1993, he was promoted to Resident Engineer, and later retired in 1998.
He became a Catholic in 1999 and was a member of St. Robert’s Parish and the Knights of Columbus.
Farewell Services under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
1940-2023
James Edward Dunkin was born to Edward I. Dunkin & Lula Mae Pollock on June 9, 1940, in Fulton, Callaway, Missouri. His family moved to St. Joseph during his early years, and they moved to Mexico, Missouri about 1948. In 1958, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri and he graduated from Central High School.
Jim was an avid model airplane enthusiast. He began his modeling career at the age of 11 by building an Ace Whitman rubber stick model. Then about 1957 he learned of FAI team race. In 1967, Jim and his partner, Bill Wright, qualified for and competed on the 1968 team. They flew for another 8 years and competed on the 1970, 1972, and 1976 US teams. Those international trips provided many contacts and more knowledge of the team-race engines and thus his collection of 2.5cc size engines began. Jim kept data on the engines and in 2011 published a book on that size engine named International Reference Book of .15 CI/2.5 cc of Model Airplane Engines. He also researched and wrote a biography of Walter H. Righter named Dennymites, Drones, & More (2008).
He married Sally Anne Batz on February 12, 1977. They settled in Blue Springs in 1980 after designing and building an earth-covered house. He has four stepchildren, Thomas K. Batz, Timothy J. Batz, Patricia L. Sedge and the late Wilma Marie Lombardo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Doris Van Wormer.
He worked for the MODOT Highway department for over 35 years. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Degree from the University of Missouri in 1988. In 1993, he was promoted to Resident Engineer, and later retired in 1998.
He became a Catholic in 1999 and was a member of St. Robert’s Parish and the Knights of Columbus.
Farewell Services under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
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Funeral Home
Missouri Cremation Services
5005 Frederick Boulevard
St. Joseph, MO US 64506
St. Joseph, MO US 64506
