Donald John Dunlavy

Donald John Dunlavy of Loveland, Colorado, died October 3, 2024 at the age of 86, following a long illness. Don was born in Kansas City, Missouri, March 17, 1938, to Marydell Christina Dunlavy and Clyde Herbert Dunlavy. Both parents are deceased. He lived in Kansas City until the 1950s when the family moved to California. He joined the Air Force in 1955 and served until 1961. Following his service in the Air Force, he worked in the scientific field in California until he decided to return to Kansas City in early 1967. It was there he met Judy, his wife of almost 57 years who survives him. They were married November 10, 1967. After working with the Weather Bureau for a short time, he became a technician for the Physics Department at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. In 1977, he applied for a position at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico where he worked for four years. His last employment was at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (formerly Solar Energy Research Institute) in Golden, CO, where he worked until he retired in 2004.

In Colorado, the family volunteered often at the church. Don served on the Property Committee and the Organ committee and also helped with funeral receptions. Their children’s interests were nourished thanks to Don and Judy driving them to practices, volunteer work, and meetings. Volunteer activities in Jefferson County, CO also included The Arvada Food Bank (now called Community Table), The Action Center Beautiful Junk Sales, and 9Health Fairs. Don was also a docent for the Titanic exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Don is survived by four children, two sons-in-law and four grandchildren – two sons – Sean Dunlavy of Longmont, CO and Derek Dunlavy of Santa Fe, NM and two daughters – Kerry Muhovich (Ned Muhovich) Gwyn and Lee of Denver, CO, and Erin Dunlavy (Eric Johnson) Zoe and Charlie of Greeley, CO. Don spent a great deal of his retirement volunteering in his community as well as helping to care for his grandkids. Don and Judy moved to Nebraska in 2014 and returned to Colorado in 2021. Don is also survived by sister-in-law Lila Dunlavy and several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Don’s younger brother, Gary, preceded him in death in 2019.

Don loved his family above all else. He was very proud that all his children are college graduates. He was also a life-long lover of cats, especially yellow [orange tabby] cats. Taffy was a cat he still talked about long into his golden years. She moved with the family from Missouri to New Mexico to Colorado. He was less of a dog fan with their demands for attention, but Rags (adopted from the Jefferson County Animal Shelter) had a special place in his heart, and he was known to watch his kids’ dogs when they could not. Don loved Mexican food and enjoyed that he lived where the food was good and choices were plentiful. He also had a major sweet tooth which he passed on to his kids and grandkids. Don was quick to help in any situation. His warm smile and great sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.

Don also enjoyed airplanes. He enjoyed air shows and attended a number of them in different places. He especially enjoyed sitting on the balcony of his and Judy’s Sugar Valley apartment in Loveland in October of 2021 and watching the Blue Angels fly over the building really close and then divide as they flew on each side of the building across the street. He also enjoyed a trip to Dayton, OH with Sean and Derek in 2018—for a celebration of the Memphis Belle. He also enjoyed a special ride on an AT-6 Texan aircraft from WWII.

Plans for a service with inurnment at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Arvada, CO are not yet finalized. Details will be given later. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to food banks or housing agencies of your choice.

Treasured memories of Donald and words of condolences for his family are welcome at AllnuttLoveland.com.