Richard Ellsworth Dunham

Richard (Dick) Elllsworth Dunham was born in the sand hills of Nebraska in a two-room house on October 2, 1937, to Annabel Seydell Dunham and Elmer Birl Dunham. He was born on the kitchen table and a dresser drawer was his bassinet.

In 1943, they packed up and moved to Oregon and Elmer went to work in the shipyards. During this time, the Japanese were bombing the Oregon coast. Concerned for their safety, Elmer put his wife and son on a train that traveled dark to Nebraska. When the war was nearly over Mom and son came back to Oregon to be with Elmer.

On November 9, 1944, Dick’s sister, Suzanne Marie was born. The family moved to Englewood, Colorado in 1948 and lived in a motel while Elmer built their new house.

Dick attended North Elementary and Englewood Junior and Senior High School.  In 1957 Dick joined the United States Navy, served for four years, and was Honorably Discharged as a SFP2. It was during this time that he married his girlfriend of six years, Kathy Beyen. They were stationed in different places on the east coast and when Dick was sent overseas, Kathy returned to Englewood.

During their marriage of 48 years, Dick and Kathy had two children, Richard Eric born in 1965 and Julia Kathryn born in 1966.

 They started Controlling Systems, Inc. and worked hand-in-hand to make a very successful HVAC company, working in the basement of their home until they built the shop in Englewood. Dick retired in 2000 and sold the company. Kathy passed away in 2005. In 2007, Dick married Jayne Smith and they lived on the family property referred to as “The Farm.” There they grew hay, and alfalfa and had a garden that supplied everyone with fresh veggies. Dick also enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming, birdwatching and tinkering in the barn.

Dick is preceded in death by his first wife, Kathy, and his mother and father, Elmer and Annabel Dunham.

He is survived by his wife, Jayne, children Eric (Joanne) and Julia (Eric), sister Suzie (Mike) O’Neill, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Burial services with military honors will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery on May 20^th at 9 a.m. The funeral service will take place May 20^th at 2:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s Methodist Church 8817 S Broadway, Littleton, CO 80129. Reception immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Those attending the service are encouraged to wear blue jeans, coveralls, or bibs in memory of Dick. Seldom would you find Dick wearing anything else.