Tony Lee Dunn

Tony was affectionately called T-Loc for most of his high school years; later in life he was dubbed Tony O-side Dunn, “Mr. Oceanside” and he truly lived up to the name.

Tony received his formal education in the Oceanside Unified School District, attending Laurel Elementary School, Jefferson Junior High School and graduating from Ocean Shores High School in 1991. Tony was employed as a driver by Sunstate Equipment, a heavy equipment and tool rental company based in San Diego, California.

Tony met Stefanie Maisha Rankin in 1990, and they became casual friends. Fate had a different plan and the couple started dating five years later. Fate wasn’t done with them and they tied the knot on January 8, 2000; Tony chose that date so he’d never forget his anniversary...this was also his birthday. God blessed their union with 2 beautiful children; daughter, Ocean Tanzania and son, Tony Levi, Jr..

He was very loving and supportive of his family and friends. His love for his wife and children made them his favorite topic of conversation. His eyes would sparkle and his face would light up with just the mere mention of their names. When Tony was not with his family, he spent time with close friends, Ski, E-man, Demon, among others. Tony possessed what older people call, “the gift of gab." He was quite the talker and he never met a stranger. Tony would give everyone he met a nickname that fit their personality. He was so easy going and always had a smile on his face BUT if you crossed him, he did not have a problem letting you know. He was a lightweight comedian; cracking jokes all of the time; he also talked plenty of shit, which he could back up!

Tony was an avid sports fan; he loved baseball and football and was a diehard San Diego Padre/Chargers fan. Tony fell a little out of love with the Chargers when they decided to relocate to another city.

With an intense passion for youth sports, especially youth football, Tony spent countless hours coaching and training his son for all facets of sports. He would travel to different states to watch and support his son and nephew as they participated in their current sport. Tony was a founding member of “Dads in the Stands”, a group of dedicated fathers that attended and enjoyed game nights together. Tony was known for the phrase, “whose kid is that?”; which he said if the kid made a bad play or a good play. Tony encouraged everyone and was very supportive of the football community; he would see a kid hanging out; introduce himself; meet the parents and get that kid involved in youth sports by introducing them to his very good friend, Kevin Brown (Coach KB) of Fast Camp Athletics. Tony was also very instrumental in creating a 7 on 7 football team that was comprised of local school kids.

Tony touched the lives of countless individuals who will treasure his life and wonderful memories; his mother, Josie Brunson; father, Clyde Dixon; wife, Stefanie Maisha Dunn; children, Ocean Tanzania Dunn and son, Tony Levi Dunn, Jr.; five brothers, Chris Dunn of Seattle, Washington, Fredrick (Lora) Dunn of Lumberton, North Carolina, Elihu (Jessica) Brunson, Elijah Brunson and Nehemiah (Leslie) Brunson; step-dad, Lee Brunson; nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends. Your wings were ready, our hearts were not!!!