Mrs. Dunn, I am so happy that my husband and I came to watch the race Fri. evening. We were so impressed with the number of runners, walkers, and supporters of the event. We are very thankful for the scholarship awarded to Zach. William & Mary is great college with an awesome running program, but we would love to have him closer to home. Good luck in with your efforts, your husband must have been a wonderful man. We plan to be at next years race, possibly walking or running!! Thank you, Terri, Rick, and Zachary Tennant

Received these comments from a former Pizza Inn acquaintance who hadn't seen us for a number of years. She wrote this to my e-mail address...... I got to see Jim a few months before he died.. I was in Mgtn with Eleanor and Julie at Suncrest Middle School and he was there. It was as if we’d kept in touch all these years and seeing him, catching up the wee bit that we did, gave me such a lift. It made me wish that we had indeed kept in touch. He was the kind of person you could just so easily connect with.. I remember it was never a dull moment when he was around! I was so incredibly saddened when he died – it’s difficult still to comprehend; I can’t imagine how it is for you. And I hope that it’s ok that I send this note – As I’m sure he brightened your life, it felt important to let you know that he brightened mine too. Though this is difficult to send, thoughts of Jim also bring a smile. Today would have been Jim's 58th birthday and the world is truly a better place that he was with us. Thank you all for sharing, Darlene

Jim was a gift to my life and my family as he was to so many others. Thoughts of Jim, Darlene, Riley and Jeff always make me smile because I was so fortunate to share in the many celebrations of their lives from the beautiful wedding day to the birth of that special boy we know as Riley and so many more joyous events in between. One of Jim's many accomplishments was of being an extraordinary father and on this Father's day I reflected of all the love and kindness that made Jim the man that he was and role model that he still is for so many. Jim was also a remarkable husband and brother, his generosity and thoughtfulness was a sigh of a great soul and Jim was surely one who touched my life in a special way. The last time I had the privilege of spending time with Jim, he was his gracious self, offering me the many things he had prepared that day and never allowing my glass to be empty. As I was leaving, instead of me making him feel good about the hospitality that was shown he gave me a wonderful compliment that warmed my heart and made my day. That's the "Jim" we all knew and loved with all of his unselfish ways and the ability to make everyone around him feel special. You know Darlene, Riley and Jeff your husband, your father and your brother left behind many, many beautiful memories for you to share. But he also took something with him........."Your Love!"

Most of my time spent with Jim was at big family gatherings- reunions or get togethers at my grandparents house. My earliest memories of Jim were of picking berries at Walter and Alma's. As a child, I didn't really understand the kind of person Jim was, but as I grew, and eventually started my own family, both Jim and Darlene became inadvertent role models. They both made me feel loved and special. They always remembered what was going on in my life, even though we saw each other infrequently. Jim was always happy, and ready with a funny story. He took care of those around him. The way he and Darlene took Jeff in after Alma passed was inspiring, as was the way he cared for Darlene after her accident. They truly loved (love) each other and Jeff and Riley. That was evident with every passing year. I am so sad to write this- that Jim has passed. But I am so happy to have had the chance and priviledge to know him. Amy Spalding

My favorite Jim & Darlene moment: A group of us having drinks at the Chestnut Pub (many years ago) one evening after work.....Jim decides he's going to drink Martini's.... he starts "pounding" his drinks one afer the other and keeps ordering another round as he continues talking "non-stop"..... as a new Martini arrives at the table and Jim continues to tell his stories, out of the corner of my eye I cath Darlene "dumping" his drink under the table..... this must have happened three or four times and Jim just keep ordering another round assuming he had finished each and every drink..... finally I asked Darlene what was going on and she responded (smiling): "I have to go home with him and he didn't need any more drinks"..... I will never forget that and I don't think Jim ever knew the difference. What a great relationship and marriage with memories to last forever..... I wish I had been around Jim more, he was a very special person and one of the richest people I have known as evidenced by all the friends and out pouring of love at the funeral....riches are measured in love, friends and family.... Jim had is all...

I have known Jim and Darlene for many years. I have been away from Morgantown for 30 years but would often see them on return visits. I so agree with Maria's comments. Jim was so full of love for people and as was said never had a bad thing to say about anyone. I loved how he and Darlene loved each other. They were truly best friends. There seems to never be the right words to give tribute to a life like Jim's. He lived and loved well and has left a big hole behind. We will not gather without missing him and remembering him. May we all love more deeply as we think of Jim and all he meant to us all.

My knowing Jim Dunn was a gift from God to me. God knew I would learn from Jim and try to live my life with his same goodness and kindness. Jim was always happy, full of life and had a wonderful smile for everyone, regardless if he knew them or not. Whenever I see Riley I see Jim Dunn and that tells me that Jim lives on - not on this physical earth, but in this child, he left to grow into a man and throught friends like myself.

Few things can ever replace a best friend and while Darlene moves forward, she lost a piece of her heart when Jim suddenly left us. I have known Jim and Darlene for more years than I care to say and perhaps the most stunning testament to his life is that I have never heard a negative word said about him-ever. He embodied what was right about people. He never saw flaws-only beauty. He loved without condition. He embraced life. He was an extraordinary husband, son, brother, friend, and father. How lucky we would all be if this were our legacy. We continue on in our lives. We get up and go to work. We join friends for dinner. We continue to celebrate life’s milestones-birthdays, weddings, anniversaries. We travel and talk and somehow, although our lives are full…there is something missing. This was never more tangible than the evening of the first Jim Dunn Memorial Run last year. I remember that it was a less than perfect evening weather wise. It was rainy and foggy and as my daughter and I drove in, we came around the corner on Beechurst Avenue and saw hundreds of people in small groups. People from the Special Olympics, people from the WVU track team, groups of friends from the gym…people were standing in the pouring rain hugging and stretching and laughing and remembering our friend. And I said to Ali, “what a wonderful outpouring of love for Darlene and Jim both.” We got our numbers, huddled in groups to try to stay dry and warm and then, just as the race was to begin…the rain stopped and the sky opened up with gorgeous color-courtesy of our friend. We miss you Jim Dunn and will try to honor your memory.

I had the outstanding privilege to meet Jim Dunn when he started to date my sweet sister many, many years ago at the Rusty Scupper in Pittsburgh, Pa. Having pretty much raised my little sister, I knew she loved to party and loved life (just like her mom and me) and so I warned dear, sweet and shy Jim that she would be a handful, but he didn't care because he loved her so much that he happily endured and their love grew and grew. I always enjoyed being around both of them when they were carefree and baby-free and even when the little Riley came along. I'll never forget they came to visit me in Atlanta when Riley was only 5 months old and the 3 of us tried to go out one night and party, but Riley would have none of that and the babysitter called us to return home. Jim would take Riley out to McDonalds every morning while Dar and I got our beauty sleep. My dear brother-in-law was, in my opinion, one of God's best creations. He was my Steeler fan and even when I went to the Super Bowl in Detroit, he took time to mail me tons of newspaper clippings to Atlanta because he knew I couldn't get the "hometown" stuff. When Jim and I were together and got a chance to talk, there was never a pause in the conversation. If it wasn't for sports or politics (we also had the same affiliations there too), he would ask me all about my business in Atlanta and was so curious and always made me feel "smart" and successful. When I think of Jim, the only way not to cry is to think of him tooling around in his kitchen and getting so much joy preparing food for the family he loved with all his heart and soul. I will never forget Jim Dunn and still pray that such a great man as Jim may someday touch my life. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk publicly about our dear Jim. Much love to my sister Darlene, my nephew Riley and my favorite "bud" Jeff Dunn. Georgia Trusio, Atlanta, Georgia

Although it has been since May of 2007, the loss of Jim has been foremost in the lives of my family. He was a shining star with the brightest of smiles and the quickest wit. My friends have helped me to establish this website for two purposes, to spread the word of the scholarship and to provide a vehicle for the people who have Jim Dunn stories to keep them in posterity. This will allow Jim's friends, family and co-workers the opportunity to share the energy that was Jim's and to allow Riley and his children a lasting memory of the love of our life. Thanks for sharing. Darlene