Obituary for R. Erik Dunn
Richard Erik Dunn, 46, passed away unexpectedly August 25, 2021 at Conejos County Hospital in La Jara.
Erik was born in La Jara, Colorado on June 20, 1975, the proud son of Richard Levi and Susan Dunn. He married the love of his life, Tandra Simpson, in the Denver Colorado Temple on December 20, 1997 being sealed for time and all eternity.
Erik took his role as the oldest in his family seriously throughout his life, constantly concerned about the needs of his grandparents, parents and siblings. He enjoyed serving them and making sure their needs were met to the best of his abilities. That love and concern carried over to his wife and children. He worked hard to create a comfortable life for his family. He loved spending time with them and treasured special trips, going to the mountains and taking daily drives down the backroads of Manassa and Antonito.
Erik loved to learn and was self-taught in most areas of his life. He graduated from Centauri High School in 1993 and went to trade school in Cortez, CO. Afterwards Erik came back to the valley and decided to work on his uncle’s farm. He loved being outdoors riding in a tractor and loved the smell of freshly cut alfalfa. After marrying, Erik began working in maintenance at Conejos County Hospital and quickly transitioned over to working in information technology, this becoming his life-long career. Erik most recently worked as the IT Director for the Alamosa School District and loved his job and co-workers. Not being one to have ever liked school, he could never believe he worked in a school for a living.
Erik’s life was full of many passions and hobbies. He loved all varieties of music and could remember the lyrics to every song. He enjoyed having “jam sessions,” singing along to songs at the top of his lungs. Erik became interested in flying and pursued a private pilot’s license. He enjoyed flying with his late grandfather-in-law and taking his family for flights around the valley. Erik held an Extra Class amateur radio license and loved talking to people from all over the world. He was an active member of the San Luis Valley Amateur Radio Association and enjoyed participating in contests and nets. Erik was a collector of fountain pens and followed in his grandma Goodge’s footsteps and loved to journal. These will forever be treasured by his family.
Erik was a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and enjoyed the many callings he served in. He had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. He loved to serve others and would drop everything to participate in service projects or to help those in need. He never thought he did enough and was always looking for ways to bless others.
Erik is survived by his wife, Tandra Dunn, son Richard Dylan Dunn and daughter Amber Catherine Dunn all of Manassa CO with Amber currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in St. Louis Missouri; his parents Richard and Susan Dunn; siblings Colleen Dunn, Andy(Breanna) Dunn, Kathleen(Nathan) Shawcroft and Jeff Dunn as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Alton and Irene Dunn, maternal grandparents Joseph and LaNella Goodge, uncle Kenny Goodge and cousin Nick Goodge.
Visitations will be held on Wednesday, September 1, in the LDS church primary room in Manassa, 315 Main Street, from 6-8 pm and Thursday 10-10:45 am. Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 2, at 11 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Manassa with interment to follow at the Manassa cemetery.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online words of comfort, remembrances and condolences for Erik’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com
Erik was born in La Jara, Colorado on June 20, 1975, the proud son of Richard Levi and Susan Dunn. He married the love of his life, Tandra Simpson, in the Denver Colorado Temple on December 20, 1997 being sealed for time and all eternity.
Erik took his role as the oldest in his family seriously throughout his life, constantly concerned about the needs of his grandparents, parents and siblings. He enjoyed serving them and making sure their needs were met to the best of his abilities. That love and concern carried over to his wife and children. He worked hard to create a comfortable life for his family. He loved spending time with them and treasured special trips, going to the mountains and taking daily drives down the backroads of Manassa and Antonito.
Erik loved to learn and was self-taught in most areas of his life. He graduated from Centauri High School in 1993 and went to trade school in Cortez, CO. Afterwards Erik came back to the valley and decided to work on his uncle’s farm. He loved being outdoors riding in a tractor and loved the smell of freshly cut alfalfa. After marrying, Erik began working in maintenance at Conejos County Hospital and quickly transitioned over to working in information technology, this becoming his life-long career. Erik most recently worked as the IT Director for the Alamosa School District and loved his job and co-workers. Not being one to have ever liked school, he could never believe he worked in a school for a living.
Erik’s life was full of many passions and hobbies. He loved all varieties of music and could remember the lyrics to every song. He enjoyed having “jam sessions,” singing along to songs at the top of his lungs. Erik became interested in flying and pursued a private pilot’s license. He enjoyed flying with his late grandfather-in-law and taking his family for flights around the valley. Erik held an Extra Class amateur radio license and loved talking to people from all over the world. He was an active member of the San Luis Valley Amateur Radio Association and enjoyed participating in contests and nets. Erik was a collector of fountain pens and followed in his grandma Goodge’s footsteps and loved to journal. These will forever be treasured by his family.
Erik was a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and enjoyed the many callings he served in. He had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. He loved to serve others and would drop everything to participate in service projects or to help those in need. He never thought he did enough and was always looking for ways to bless others.
Erik is survived by his wife, Tandra Dunn, son Richard Dylan Dunn and daughter Amber Catherine Dunn all of Manassa CO with Amber currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in St. Louis Missouri; his parents Richard and Susan Dunn; siblings Colleen Dunn, Andy(Breanna) Dunn, Kathleen(Nathan) Shawcroft and Jeff Dunn as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Alton and Irene Dunn, maternal grandparents Joseph and LaNella Goodge, uncle Kenny Goodge and cousin Nick Goodge.
Visitations will be held on Wednesday, September 1, in the LDS church primary room in Manassa, 315 Main Street, from 6-8 pm and Thursday 10-10:45 am. Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 2, at 11 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Manassa with interment to follow at the Manassa cemetery.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online words of comfort, remembrances and condolences for Erik’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com