October 14, 1948 ~ May 1, 2025
James Quinton Dunham passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025. James was born on October 14, 1948 in Durant, Oklahoma to parents Quinton and Janice Dunham. A lifelong resident of Durant, James attended Washington Irving Elementary, Durant Junior High, Durant High School, and Southeastern State University. While at Southeastern, James met and married his wife of 56 years, Sharon McVay Dunham.
James began his career in education, as teacher, coach, and principal at Yuba Elementary School for 10 years before moving into the family paint and glass business, The Lee Company, working with his father and eventually taking over the business with partner Billy Jack Roberts. James spent 8 years as Governor George Nigh’s appointee to the Oklahoma Board of Corrections, serving as Board President from 1986-90.
James enjoyed many lifelong friendships through fraternal associations Sigma Tau Gamma, Benevolent Protectorate of Elks, Masonic Lodge, and Bedouin Shrine Temple.
James is survived by wife Sharon, daughter Dawn Dunham, son Jim and wife Kathy Dunham, brother Dick and wife Donna Dunham, grandsons Cal and Luke Dunham, sisters-in-law Carolyn McVay Groce, Chele McVay, Leslie McVay, Nancy McVay, Pam and husband Robert Young, and multiple nieces and nephews.
James was preceded in death by his parents Quinton and Janice Dunham, sister Connie and husband Mike Gilchrist, brothers-in-law Tommy, Donnie, and Mike McVay, and Ike Groce.
Family and friends will host a celebration of James’s life on Sunday, May 25 at James’s property, “The Barn” at Oak Ridge.
**In lieu of flowers, donations in James’s honor may be made to the
Shriners Children’s Hospital
donate.lovetotherescue.org