Tim Dalton Dunn Obituary (1945 - 2014)

Tim Dalton Dunn passed away as peacefully Sunday evening as he lived exuberantly every other day of his life. He was surrounded by his family and sporting his favorite technicolor fish shirt, green mesh shorts, and wide brimmed hat from the Grand Canyon. He died knowing that his love, verve, and unique spirit infused those he left behind with a profound appreciation for his individuality, tenderness, and robust approach to life. Tim is survived by his wife, best friend, and partner in law and life, Susan Black Dunn. Married for 20 years, they built a family and a business together. They explored destinations near and far and were practically inseparable. Their commitment to one another was unbending, and their love for one another unlimited. Tim also is survived by his children and grandchildren, Jeff (Liza; Zane, Seth, and Mira), Heather (Paul; Pauline and Eric), Stacey, Ashley (Jeff), Brooke (Andrew; Sofia), Leigh, Holli (Isabel), and Joey (Zak, Parker, and Ivie). Tim took such joy and pleasure in the accomplishments and activities of his progeny. If not at work or traveling, he could be found on the sidelines of a grandkid's game or in the audience of another's performance most evenings and weekends. Tim's mother, Delma Dalton Dunn, welcomed him into the world on May 22, 1945. His father, Dale Ellertson Dunn, was flying for the US Army Air Corps in Papua New Guinea. That morning, Dale traded a bag of salt and an axe for an actual bird of paradise and, if you believe in reincarnation, that bird may very well have been Tim. He is preceded in death by his parents, whom he missed very much, and his infant brother, Jary. Tim grew up with his brothers–Dale (3D) (Penney), Val (Laura), Rand (Penny), Cory (Pam), and Mark (Michele)–in a cozy home in Salt Lake City. As they have aged and pursued their respective life paths, they continued to make time to stay connected. In the past few years, the brothers and their wives have taken trips to trace their roots in England and to explore Finland and Russia. Tim was grateful for their friendship and affection. He adored his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Tim attended Skyline High and was a member of the first graduating class in 1963. He then attended the University of Utah and earned a B.S. in Philosophy (1967) and a J.D. (1970). Tim was an ardent U fan. When the Utes made the Fiesta Bowl, Tim spearheaded the midnight effort to festoon the statue of Parley P. Pratt with a red Utah shirt, Santa hat, and bag of Tostitos. He continued this new tradition when the Utes made the Sugar Bowl, and he was exceedingly proud when these mystery misdemeanors were featured in the local paper. Tim's drive and work ethic propelled him to not only succeed in school, but also to go on to build an impressive 44-year legal career. In 1988, Tim founded Dunn and Dunn and served as the primary shareholder until his passing. He personally tried 182 jury cases in federal and state court, and won 93% of them. He was selected as Utah's Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2004 and is the only Utah recipient of Diplomate status from the American Board of Trial Advocates. He earned the Distinguished AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell rating and the Emeritus Master of the Bench designation from the American Inns of Court. He was a multi-year recipient of the "Legal Elite" designation in the areas of mediation and insurance defense from Utah Business magazine. He served on the Utah Insurance Recodification Commission and participated in drafting many of the state's insurance laws and regulations. He was a lawyer's lawyer and relished every aspect of trying cases. Tim loved to travel, paint, read, and explore. In his 69 years, he visited 43 countries and all 50 states. He considered freedom the ability to buy plane tickets. He was colorblind, which contributed to the unique hue combinations in his paintings that hang throughout his home and those of his children. His tales of adventure and philosophical musings added light and levity to every conversation. We invite you to join us in a celebration of Tim's life on Saturday, November 8, at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts on the University of Utah campus (410 Campus Center Drive). Visitation will be held from 10-11 am, with the service immediately following. In honor of Tim, please plan your next adventure, paint your wildest dream, vote for the Democrats, and embrace those you hold dear. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, UT 84095