Nathan C Dunn's Obituary
Nathan C. Dunn of Marmora, NJ, formerly of Fairfield Twp, passed away early Thursday morning, December 21, at his home surrounded by his family and under the care of Hospice. He was 94 years old.
Born in Salem, NJ, he was the son of the late Nathan T. and Rebecca Fleming Dunn and the husband of Vandella (Gould) Dunn. Nate and Vandella were married for 73 years, and she was the absolute love of his life.
Nate grew up in Salem, where he attended school and excelled in athletics, playing football and baseball. Nathan was the first African American Eagle Scout in New Jersey. He attended Cheyney State Teachers College and later earned a Master's Degree in Education from Glassboro State College. Nathan taught at Bridgeton High School, where he was the first Black male teacher. He later taught at Salem and Oakcrest High Schools. He coached track and cross country and was also the first African American varsity track coach in New Jersey.
He loved his family church, Kings Memorial Church of Bridgeton, where he served as President and was ordained as a minister. He was a past President of the Gouldtown Young Peoples Progressive Club, a former Colonial Riders Motorcycle Club member, a Civitons member, and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi at Cheyney State. He was inducted into both the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame and Cheyney University Sports Hall of Fame. Nate enjoyed camping with his family, traveling, and listening to jazz and soul music. He was a Phillies and Eagles fan since early childhood. But most importantly, he was a devoted husband, father, and mentor to his family.
Surviving him are his wife Vandella, his children Rev. Nathan S. Dunn Sr. and his wife Elsie of Penns Grove, NJ, and Debra Dunn Pierce and her husband Michael of Newton, MA, his loving grandchildren Ashley Jones-Pierce (Zachary Sullivan), Taylor Pierce, Micaela Pierce, Catherine Crosell (Edwin Crosell) Vandella Cross (Brian Cross), Stephen Comer, Nathan S. Dunn Jr., Jayson N. Dunn, and many great-grandchildren, great-great grands, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services on Friday, December 29, 2023, at 1:00 pm at Kings Memorial Church, 577 East Commerce St., Bridgeton, NJ. A viewing will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at the church. The interment will be at Gouldtown Memorial Park, Fairfield Twp. The family requests those attending to wear masks.
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