James Rodgers Dunn

James Rodgers Dunn passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Sunday, March 22, 2026. He was born July 12, 1943 in Coffeeville, Mississippi.

Jim grew up in Oxford, MS and attended University High School where he was a member of the band, chorus and drama club. He was selected as a class favorite and a cheerleader.

Jim was known as an accomplished musician who could play almost any instrument placed in front of him, by ear. He especially enjoyed playing keyboards. Jim was a guitarist, vocalist, and founding member of Terry Dee and The Roadrunners, an early 1960’s band based out of Oxford, playing 50’s style Rock n Roll music in many local and regional venues. Over the years, many local musicians shared the stage with him performing for an array of events. Later in life, he enjoyed recording music videos and posting them on Facebook for his friends.

Mr. Dunn was a veteran, serving our country as an Army National Guardsman. He worked in various law enforcement positions with the Oxford Police Department, Desoto County Sheriff’s Department and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Desoto until his retirement in 2014. He also spent many years as service advisor at Bud Davis Cadillac in Memphis, TN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Lonnie and Lorene Dunn and his wife Gail Dunn.

Survivors include his children: Richie Wright (Donna) of Hernando, MS; Sheli Dunn Strickland (Todd) of Corinth, MS; Matthew Dunn of Memphis, and Victoria Dunn (Vic West) of Reeds, MO; two stepsons, Chris Foster of McKinney, TX and David Carey (Lisa) of Summerville, SC.

His grandchildren: Brayden Wright and Alex Wright; Clayton Patterson Jr. and Chase Patterson; Brandon Strickland, Jackson Strickland (Molly) and Ashlyn Strickland; Tyler Foster, Paris Foster, and Shayla Foster; Nathan Carey (Wendy); 2 great-grandchildren.

His siblings: His brother and best friend Terry Dunn (Barbara Chatham) of Olive Branch, MS; his sister Linda Echols (Tommy) of Oxford, MS; a special cousin James Lyles (Patti) of Jackson, MS; and several nieces and nephews.

Jim was a wonderful friend to many. He especially loved spending time at the family farm, Willow Creek, in Lafayette County and riding around the lake in Buena Vista Estates with his faithful companion, Lizzie Bell.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Brantley Phillips Funeral Home on Saturday, March 28th, 2026. Visitation will be from 10:00a.m. until 1:00 p.m. with Celebration of Life service at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memoriam to St. Jude Childrens Hospital or to your local animal shelter.