We would like to take a moment to recognize Jack Dunham as this week’s Sponsor of the Week. Anyone who knows Jack Dunham, knows he is a man of few words, which is why I reached out to his daughter, Dani Heathington, to help with the interview. (Thank you Dani).

Jack was born in Frederick, Oklahoma to RP and Jean Dunham. He had two brothers, Peyton and Larry, and one sister, Nancy. His family moved from Frederick to Muleshoe when he was in the sixth grade. He met his wife Bobbie Nell King in High School and they married in 1958. They had four children: Michael Dunham, Rhonda Myers, Shelly Turnbow, and Dani Heathington, who all live in Muleshoe. His children have given him 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Jack owned and operated Dunham Appliance Service from 1967-2018 when he retired. He attended refrigeration school in Lubbock one night a week for two years in the 1970’s to learn his trade.

When asked about his best memories, Jack said his best memories were camping and fishing as a family. One particularly fun memory was when it was raining while we were packing up to come home. Bobbie and I had Michael, Jerry Bob, and Steve with us on this trip. We got stuck in the mud and the boys got out to push and got right behind the tires. They were so muddy they had to jump in the river before they could get back in the pickup. His favorite thing to look forward to was the first deer hunt of the year for many, many, years.

Jack is proud of the fact that he was able to stay in Muleshoe and run a successful, thriving business and work in refrigeration for so many years. Jack’s success was due to hard work. He was Fire Chief for the Muleshoe Volunteer Fire Department from 1988-1997. Jack was named President of the Panhandle Firemen’s Association in 1995 and Panhandle Fireman of the Year in 1992.

Dani said Jack doesn’t really have a favorite quote but his kids shared some favorite quotes they remembered him saying when they were growing up. They compiled the following and put them on a towel for him for Christmas and named them Papaw’s Practical Principles:

“You’ll figure it out.”

“Use your other hand.”

“Change your filter regularly.”

“If possible, do it yourself.”

“Stay calm and grin.”

“Don’t get all worked up.”

“Do not throw out the milk.”

These are all the perfect “principles” for this sweet man. We appreciate Jack for his help here at the Senior Center. If you see him, thank him for his help.