Col. Jack V. Dunham (ret)
Colonel (USA, retired) Jack V. Dunham, 88, a long time Roswell resident, died March 20, 2012 at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on January 21, 1924, to Burt F. and Sarah (Popham) Dunham. He was preceded in death by his parents, an older brother James, and his wife of 64 years, Lannie.
Colonel Dunham grew up and attended schools in Pennsylvania and Michigan and was a 1941 graduate of Grosse Pointe High School. After attending Michigan State College for a year, he entered the Army in July 1942 and started his military career at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. While at Fort Sill, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point. In July 1944, he entered as a member of the class of 1947. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant (Armor).
On June 28, 1947, in Detroit, MI, he married Eleanor Jane (Lannie) Uridge. Together they embarked on a military life. He served a distinguished military career including commanding an Armored Cavalry Squadron in Germany and service in Viet Nam. Following twenty eight years of service to his country, they retired to Roswell in 1975.
Upon arrival in Roswell, Colonel Dunham immediately became involved in community life. For twelve years, he worked for the Chaves County Savings and Loan Association as a public relations officer. He was a life member of SERTOMA International and was a charter member of three local clubs. He was President of Roswell SERTOMA for a year and served two years as Distinguished Governor for Northern New Mexico –West Texas District. He was also a life member of the Roswell Chamber of Commerce Red Coats. He was a charter and organizing member and past president of the Pecos Valley Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, as well as the New Mexico Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America. He was past president and former Advisory Board member of the Salvation Army, past president of the Chaparral Rockhounds, had been a board member of the United Way of Chaves County, a past chairman of the Senior Citizens Hobby Show, and had been a member of the Los Pocos Miniature Club. Most people will remember Jack as the long time co-host of KBIM’s “Round Table” radio show.
He is survived by his “adopted daughter” Susan Goodman and her husband, Gil of Roswell.