Leonard Dunn

Leonard K. Dunn, 70, died on February 25, 2011, after a long battle with esophageal cancer. Leonard was born on March 13, 1940, in Tillar, to Julian Draper and Sybil Rabey Dunn. He graduated from Dumas High School in 1958, and married his high school sweetheart, Sue Dancer, that same year. They had two children, Debbie and David.
In 1960, he began what proved to be an extraordinary 51 year career in banking, business, public service, community development, politics, and real estate, by starting at an entry level position at the National Bank of Commerce in Pine Bluff. He moved up through the ranks over the next 12 years, and when he left NBC, he was VP of their Correspondent Bank Division. From 1972 until 1992, he served as President and CEO of Financial institutions in Pine Bluff, Crossett, Hot Springs, and Little Rock. From 1992 until 1994, he was President and General Manager of Health Care Plus Clinic in Pine Bluff. Beginning in January 1995 until 2000, he served as Chief of Staff in Lt. Governor Win Rockefeller's office, and from 2000 until his death he was an Associate Broker for Commercial real estate for RPM in Little Rock.
Leonard always had a keen interest in community service and development. He served a term as President of the Arkansas Jaycees, President of the Pine Bluff Kiwanis, Lt. Governor of Kiwanis International, and served on the board or as an officer in Rotary, Kiwanis, Salvation Army, and the United Way in virtually every community in which he lived.
Economic development and education were his life-long passions. He was a member and chairman of both Arkansas Industrial Development Commission and the AIDC Foundation, and was on the Boards of the Arkansas Free Enterprises Association, the UALR Small Business Development Center, the Jefferson County Economic Opportunity Board, the South Arkansas Development Council, the Hot Springs Development Foundation, and Hot Springs Fifty for the Future. He served as Chairman of the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, and was a long time board member of the Pine Bluff Chamber. He was President of the Arkansas Good Roads Council. He worked closely with the Economics Education Council of Arkansas, and in 2008 he was instrumental in getting legislation passed which mandated economic education for every high school student in Arkansas.
Leonard was active in public service and politics throughout his adult life. In addition to his time on Lt. Governor Rockefeller's staff, he was a member of both Jefferson County and the Garland County Quorum Courts. He was an early and active supporter and friend of Senator David Pryor in all of his election campaigns. He was actively involved in all of former President Bill Clinton's gubernatorial campaigns, and served as Finance Chairman for the 1990 re-election campaign. Additionally, he served on the Arkansas Claims Commission and on the Pine Bluff Planning Commission.
He was an active member of St. James United Methodist Church, where he attended the Saturday night service with a large group of friends who often gathered for fellowship after the service. He also enjoyed his Thursday morning Bible Study group.
He is survived by his daughter, Debbie Dunn Becton and her husband, David of Little Rock; by his son, David Keith Dunn and his wife, Lorri of Forrest City; and his ten beloved grandchildren, Sunni, Ross, Jack and Susie Dunn, Barry, Jesse, Jay and Nick Becton, Wes Hewett and Amanda Becton McClusky; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Wayne Dunn of Ft. Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Cary Dunn and Sue Dancer Dunn.
In addition to his family, he is survived by countless friends throughout Arkansas. Leonard made friends everywhere he lived and worked, and they remained friends for life. Many called him on a daily basis during his illness. He was an avid golfer, and spent many hours golfing and losing money to his buddies at Pine Bluff CC, Hot Springs CC, and Hot Springs Village. He was a dedicated runner and on most days would run five miles before the sun came up. He never went to work without a suit and tie and a starched white shirt, and he was never seen wearing blue jeans. The family extends special thanks to the two angels who gave him love and companionship, and compassionate care throughout his long illness, Barbara Swesey and Judy Bethea of Little Rock.
There will be a celebration of Leonard's life at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock on Tuesday, March 1, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to Economics of Arkansas, P.O. Box 3447, Little Rock, AR 72203, or the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 191051, Little Rock, AR 72217. Leonard also requested that anyone who is able should donate a pint of blood in his honor.