Perry Dunn, Sr.

Perry Lee Dunn, Sr., 77, a resident of Brandon, MS passed away Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Select Specialty Hospital in Jackson, MS. A graveside service will be held at 2 pm Monday, November 5, 2018 at Crestview Memorial Gardens in Brandon, MS.

Mr. Dunn was born in Natchez, MS on January 20, 1941 to Alvie Dunn and Alice Baroni Dunn. He attended Natchez High School where he played football. He started every game at quarterback except his first one? He also lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track at Natchez High School. Perry Lee received high school All-American honors and was a highly recruited athlete. On December 21, 1959, Time Magazine wrote a feature article about Perry Lee’s recruitment. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Mississippi, where he was a part of a three quarterback system. As a junior, he played fullback  on a team that finished undefeated and was the national championship. His senior year he was the starting quarterback, registering 820 passing yards with 9 touchdowns and led the team to an SEC title, with Perry Lee receiving second team all-SEC honors.  Dunn was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round. The Atlanta Falcons selected him from the Cowboys roster in the 1966 NFL Expansion Draft and moved him to fullback. He was traded to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for a draft choice, before the start of the 1969 season. In 1969, Dunn played in 5 games for the Baltimore Colts, before being injured on October 20, after a knee injury. After his NFL Career he worked as an insurance salesman. Later he became certified as a safety inspector for fiber optics and pipelines. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, golfing and following his “Ole Miss Rebels”. He loved his family very much and will be remembered as a loving husband, caring father and grandfather. He will be missed by all who loved and knew him.

Mr. Dunn was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Dunn is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lila Wilson Dunn; children, Leslee (Jimmy) Viger, Perry Dunn, Jr. and Mandy Lynne (Bryan) Olier; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Viger, Shelby Lynne Hill, Emily Olier and Riley Olier; brother, Robert (Lydia) Dunn: sister, Carolyn Piazza; brother-in-law, Charles P. (Linda) Wilson; nieces and nephews, Charles P. Wilson, Jr., Dr. Caz and  Cassandra Heath, Ryder, Cash, and Cruz Heath, Destin Wilson, Natalie Dunn, Bobby Dunn, Sandy Weaver, Kimberly Bennett, Lila Garrison Wolff, Trey Garrison, Candace Garrison Martin, Michael Piazza, Anna Graves, and many other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Perry Lee Dunn’s name.