John Sterrett Dunn, Jr.

John (Jay) S. Dunn, Jr, age 81, of Camp Hill, PA passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Jay was born on March 25, 1943, to John S. and Almira (Dott) Dunn, Sr. in Camden, NJ. Jay grew up in Audubon, NJ along with his younger brother, Roy. He graduated from Audubon High School in 1961 and Delaware Valley College with a degree in Agronomy in 1965. Jay married the love of his life, Cass, in 1965.

Jay was a proud Vietnam Veteran who served in the US Army where he was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart. After his return from Vietnam, Jay was stationed in New Cumberland, PA. Jay and Cass loved the area and settled in Camp Hill, PA to build their life together and where they raised their two children, Kate and Trey.

Jay worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at DER and later DCNR where he was highly regarded and an integral part of employee relations in the Commonwealth since the beginning of unionization in the early 1970s. Jay retired in 2003 as Chief, Employee Relations and Training, Bureau of Human Resources.

Jay was a man of faith. He and his family were founding members of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Catholic Church (SEAS) in Mechanicsburg, PA. Jay was active at SEAS serving as President of the Executive Board (including the Building Committee), original member of the Church Choir, and as a CCD Teacher.

Jay was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time at PA State Parks especially at Pine Grove Furnace and Promise Land State Park, hunting on PA Game Lands, trout fishing the Yellow Breaches, fly fishing at Pine Creek, and surf fishing on LBI and the OBX. Jay was the King of the BBQ in the summer and enjoyed cooking Holiday and Sunday dinners for his family. Jay supported Kate and Trey in their different sports activities –including coaching soccer for Trey and softball for Kate – he never missed a game regardless of start time. When they went to high school you would see Jay and Cass cheering Kate on the Field Hockey field and Trey on the Soccer field and supporting both in their respective Booster Clubs. Fall Saturdays, you would find Jay cheering on Penn State and Sundays were spent cheering on the Eagles.

After retiring, Jay joined VFW Post #7530 in Lower Allen Township where he served as Post Commander and was named Pennsylvania All State Commander for the 2011 – 2012 year. Jay served for many years as the Honor Guard Coordinator and organized volunteers to place thousands of flags for Veterans at Rolling Green Cemetery. He attended Bingo at the Lebanon Valley VA, Stand Down in Harrisburg, selling Poppies at the West Shore Farmers Market & Senator’s Games; and playing Santa at the VA and Post Christmas Parties. He enjoyed helping and giving back to Veterans and their families. His proudest moment was the work involved in having VFW Post #7530 become a Memorial Post named in honor of Kimberly Ann Fahnestock-Voelz who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Jay’s favorite job post-retirement was his role as Pop-Pop to Bella, Jack, and Owen. He enjoyed teaching them to fish, spending time with them at the beach, attending dance recitals, watching soccer, baseball, & basketball; and enjoying their artwork over the years.

Jay was predeceased by his parents, John S. and Almira (Dott) Dunn, Sr and his brother, Roy Dunn. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Cass; his daughter, Kate, his son, Trey (Marina), & his grandchildren, Isabella, Jack, and Owen. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Barbara Welsh, brother-in-law, Raymond Heckman, Sr.; and his nephews, Michael Gardiner, John Welsh, Jr, Heath Welsh, Ray Heckman, Jr, and Paul Heckman.

Viewing will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 17th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 310 Hertzler Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am, Saturday August 17th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church immediately following the viewing.

Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests a memorial contribution to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 310 Hertzler Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 or Kimberly Ann Fahnestock-Voelz Memorial Post 7530, 4545 Westport Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.