Derald L. Dunagan

After a short battle with MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a type of bone marrow disease), Derald L. Dunagan passed away on December 11, 2015, at Collier Hospice Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, at the age of 81. He was born on November 22, 1934, in Alliance, Nebraska, to Homer Lloyd Dunagan and Anna Woodworth Dunagan. Derald grew up in Nebraska on a farm and attended a rural grade school. At the age of 10 the family was moving to Missouri, where they had purchased a farm near Lamar. His dad stopped to inquire about directions to their new home, and as he was getting back in the car, another vehicle tragically took his life. The family moved back to Albion, Nebraska, where his mother raised five children on her own. Derald graduated from Albion High School in 1953. His high school sweetheart, Verna Dufoe, graduated in 1954, and they were married on December 18, 1955. After their marriage Derald attended Abilene Christian University. He graduated in 1957 with a BS degree in Mathematics Education. Derald and Verna were in a group of four couples recruited by Bill and Betty Hughes to move to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to establish a new church. In Sioux Falls Derald taught junior high school for two years. After moving to York, Nebraska, Derald taught high school for one year. He then applied and was accepted for an all-expense-paid National Science Foundation scholarship to obtain his master's degree at the University of South Dakota. In l961 he was hired to teach all levels of math at Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Colorado. He taught for 30 years, retiring in 1991. During those 30 years he worked part-time as a mathematician and graphic designer for the United States Government in the Geological Survey Water Resources Division (USGS). Derald worked there full-time during the summers until he retired from teaching. He continued working full-time with the USGS for nine more years, retiring from USGS in 1999. Derald always desired to teach at the college level. In the fall of 1999 that dream became a reality. He began teaching part-time in the math department at Red Rocks Community College. He taught for another 16 years. Derald was scheduled to continue teaching this fall, but had to resign due to his illness. In all, he taught for 49 years. Derald was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Helen (Dunagan) Wolfe and Rita (Dunagan) Wambaugh. He is survived by his wife, Verna; his three children, Bob Dunagan and his wife, Kim (Kemper) Dunagan, of Austin, Texas; Sandy (Dunagan) Kemper and her husband, Morris Kemper, of Lakewood, Colorado; and Steve Dunagan and his wife, Jenny (Shelton) Dunagan of Nixa, Missouri. He is also survived by three grandsons, Kirby Dunagan and his wife, Jessica; Kelly Dunagan and his wife, Alyssa; and Brady Dunagan. Derald's three great grandchildren are Cara and Nora Dunagan (twins) and Fiona Dunagan. He is survived by two brothers, Norvin Dunagan of Grand Island, Nebraska, and Delaine Dunagan and his wife, Roselan Dunagan, also of Grand Island, Nebraska. In addition he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Derald was a faithful member of the church of Christ since his teenage years. He served as an elder at Lakewood Church of Christ for 20 years. He taught Bible classes and was a successful leader of visitation programs for numerous years. At the time of his death, he was a beloved member at Bear Valley Church of Christ. He especially enjoyed visiting people in hospitals and senior homes, in addition to his influence on young people. He was loved, respected, and admired by all ages. Derald enjoyed sporting events, gardening, and wood carving. He loved sharing his baked goodies and garden produce with others. He will be remembered as a caring man who was always willing to help wherever he could. Most importantly, he loved and served the Lord with all his heart and soul. Beloved husband, Dad, and Papa, Derald's legacy as a servant of the Lord will continue on as an inspiration and example for all. Please share your memories of Derald and condolences for his family by signing the guestbook below.