Wayne H. Dunbar's Obituary
Wayne was born on June 9th, 1939 in River Falls, Wisconsin to Harry and Thelma Dunbar. He grew up in St. Paul and attended Harding High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Jeanne Peterson, and they made a home in Afton.
Wayne was a vocational teacher in St.Paul. He touched many students’ lives over the years. It wasn’t unusual for someone to approach him, and shake his hand and thank him for being their teacher. He was also a handyman for our family and friends. What he couldn’t fix with his tools and skills, could be mended with a good amount of duct tape. “Good enough” was his motto for many projects!
Wayne was an eternal optimist, always assuming the best in people. Those around him could feel his sincere love for them. He was a father figure to many. He could start a conversation with anyone and immediately put people at ease with his smile and laugh. Kids loved coming to Wayne’s house because there was always some adventure to be had. The barn, animals, pool, snowmobiles and minibikes were was memory makers waiting to happen.
Wayne was a teacher by trade, but a farmer at heart. Over the years he raised a lot of different animals much to Jeanne’s chagrin! He was a farmer up to the very end. Even in the middle of a subdivision in Palm Coast, a flock of wild turkeys found him and visited him every day. The copious amounts of bird seed he left for them may have had something to do with it!
He’d say his greatest joy was his family. He lavished love on his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He taught us how to work hard, give generously, have fun and laugh. If there was a sporting event, concert, dance recital or school program, he wanted to be there. He was our biggest cheerleader—always cheering loudly and making friends on the sidelines.
Wayne was closely connected to God, they talked every single day. It wasn’t unusual to find him praying while sitting outside in his chair, on the dock, or on the golf cart. We will miss our dad dearly, but we know he is in the arms of his Savior.
He was survived by Jeanne, his wife of nearly 60 years; his daughter Christine (Antonio) Nava of Palm Coast, Florida; his son Scott (Traci) Dunbar of Spanish Fort, Alabama and daughter Becky (David) Worstman of Mantorville, Minnesota. His Grandchildren: Krista(Nick), Heidi(Kyle), Grace, Jacob(Kathleen), Alison(Alex), Mariah, Noelle and Holly. Great-grandchildren: Arryonna, A.J, Jameson, Harper, and his Lil’Rowdy.
Celebrating Wayne’s life on Saturday, June 20th. Casual lunch and festivities to honor a life well lived—“Wayne wanted a party!!”
Where: Memorial Lutheran Church 15730 Afton Blvd South, Afton, MN 55001
When: Saturday, June 20th from 12pm to 2pm
What to bring: Good Memories, Laughter and a Lawn Chair
What’s your fondest memory of Wayne?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wayne?
Share a story where Wayne's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wayne you’ll never forget.
How did Wayne make you smile?