Obituary of George Melvin Dunn

Rev. George Melvin Dunn, age 82, died peacefully on July 25, 2023 at his home in Woodstown, NJ. George, or "Mel" as he was more commonly known, was born in Mena, AK to Zelda Gardenia Dunn (Henderson) and George Jackson Dunn. Mel moved frequently throughout his childhood before settling in Glendale, AZ where he graduated from Glendale High School. He served in the US Army from 1959-1962 as a chaplain's assistant and army clerk with the 7th Corps Army Command in Germany and as a missile specialist in Clementon NJ. He then went on to pursue higher education, receiving an undergraduate degree from Rutgers University and a Masters degree from Glassboro State College. He taught special education at Triton High School for over 25 years where he also taught manufacturing and job skills as well as being involved in the theater program. For his entire life, Mel was active in the church, serving as choir director with many churches in Gloucester County, teaching Sunday School, working with youth, directing musical theater productions and producing yearly Easter and Christmas cantatas. After his retirement from education, his faith led him to enroll at Eastern Baptist Theological College where he received a Masters in Divinity in 2003. He served as an assistant minister at Glassboro United Methodist Church, pastor at Barnsboro United Methodist Church and ended his theological career as pastor of Bridgeport/St. Paul's United Methodist Church. In his spare time, Mel enjoyed reading and studying American History, watching classic films, listening to Country/Western and Southern Gospel music, traveling and visiting family from across the country and writing his memoirs. He is survived by his children Laurie (Richard) Horsely, George Christopher Dunn, Matthew Dunn (Anna Wallace), Nathaniel Dunn, Jessica Dunn, Kimi Dunn, 10 grandchildren and sister Sharon Mobley. He was predeceased by his siblings Lillie and Johnny Dunn.