Chuck Dunaway

Charles Ray Dunaway (aka “The Round Mound of Sound,” aka “Chucky Wucky”) passed away at age 87 in Katy, Texas on February 19, 2022. The oldest of three children, Chuck was born to Ray and Bea Dunaway in Porum, Oklahoma on December 1, 1934.

Chuck was a beloved radio personality known for his work at a number of popular radio stations in Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, and New York City. Chuck occupied the afternoon drive time slot at every radio station where he worked throughout his 45-year career; including KILT in Houston, KLIF in Dallas, WKY in Oklahoma City, WABC in New York City, and WIXY in Cleveland. By the end of his career, Chuck was the owner and operator of six FM and two AM radio stations in Joplin, Missouri.

Chuck’s life was filled with many unforgettable and sometimes unbelievable moments from serving as emcee to legends like Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Janis Joplin to travelling abroad with friends and family. Chuck’s passion for entertaining others was a constant in both his professional and personal life, and he was always quick to crack a joke or perform a feat of physical comedy to get a laugh.

Chuck has been featured in virtually all radio trade publications and is included in several college textbooks related to radio and radio programming. He is a two-time inductee to the Texas Radio Hall of Fame as well as an inductee to the Radio/Television Hall of Fame in Ohio.

Chuck was preceded in death by son John Dunaway, daughter Robin Dunaway Cone and grandson Kelly Sumrall. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Kendall Mackie Dunaway; his daughters, Julie Dunaway Pessarra (Pat) and Christi Dunaway; his grandchildren, John-Michael Dunaway (Tyger), Brandon Cone (Sachi), Elizabeth Cone, Sean Pessarra (Melanie), Nicholas Pessarra (Brianne), and Matt Gonzales (India); his nine great-grandchildren and a host of beloved family members, friends, and fans.

A private memorial service will be held on March 5, 2022. The service can be livestreamed at approximately 4:00 p.m using the link: https://vimeo.com/event/1896487/1a807e2ad5

For more information on Chuck Dunaway’s extraordinary life and incredible legacy, we encourage you to do what Chuck always recommended to friends and strangers alike: Google him.