On Saturday July 21, 2012 , Frederick Gerald Dunford, age 70 of Dublin went to be with his Lord as the result of an ATV accident while spending time in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia.

Born October 26, 1941 in Poplar Camp (Wythe County), Virginia, he was the only son of the late Fred Baker Dunford and Ruby Mae Graham Dunford. His Sister, Donna and nephew, Sean Keating also preceded him in death.

Gerald was a 1960 graduate of Dublin High School. He served his country in the United States Army from 1960 to 1963. He was a proud member of the 82nd Airborne Division. He placed fourth in the physical training test out of a company of 213 men upon graduating from basic training. He was a 1969 graduate of Plumbers & and Steamfitters Local # 491, Apprenticeship School Roanoke, VA. His combined membership in the Roanoke and Richmond, Virginia locals was 48 years. Gerald served on the examining and executive boards of Local # 491. He served as steward on numerous jobs.

Once, along with friends, Gerald swam a distance of approximately two and one half miles on Claytor Lake. He was an avid sports fan. Hunting & trout fishing were two of his many hobbies. Gerald loved the game of baseball. He was the leadoff hitter and played outfield for Pulaski Counts during the mid-sixties. He was a three year letterman in high school.

He liked classic country music, southern gospel, bluegrass, and old time mountain music. He enjoyed dancing & flatfooting.

Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his wife & friend ,Nancy of 41 years.

Gerald once saved a person's life and helped save another. Gerald loved poetry and in the late sixties, he learned to recite the entire Edgar Allen Poe poem, "The Raven".

Surviving-
Wife-Nancy Ellen McCraw Dunford-Dublin.

Sons-
Anthony "Tony" Dunford-Christiansburg,
Carmen Dunford and wife, Melinda Dunford- Radford,
Steven Dunford-Pulaski,
Step Son- Steve Jenkins- Dublin.

Two Grandchildren-
Cassandra Jenkins Glascock and Chelsea Jenkins.

One Great Granddaughter- Kyra Williams.

Sisters-
Jean Keating and husband, Terrence-Candler, N.C.,
Rebecca Dale Myers- Salem,
Judy Bibb and husband, Mike-Buchanan,VA.

Special Cousin- Mac and Bernie Dunford-TN.
Special Nieces and Nephews.

Four Sisters-in-law-
Betty Allen,
Dawn Morehead,
Loretta Roope,&
Diane Tolbert and husband, Mel – all of Dublin.
Many Special friends and classmates.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday 11:00 A.M. in the Bower Funeral Home Chapel, Pulaski
with Rev. Johnny Howlett officiating.
Interment will follow in the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Dublin with the Pulaski VFW Post # 1184 conducting full military honors.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to your charity of choice.
To send online condolence messages to the family, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com

Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski is handling the arrangements for the Dunford family.