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Celebrating the life of
H. Mitchell Dunn, Jr.
January 10, 1931 - September 06, 2020
Henry Mitchell Dunn, Jr., respected lawyer, quiet philanthropist and invaluable friend, died September 6 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He was 89.
Son of Henry Mitchell Dunn and Eleanor Doyle Dunn, Mitchell was a graduate of The Lawrenceville School in Princeton, NJ and the University of Virginia in 1953. After serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Gordon, in Augusta, GA, he went on to earn a law degree from the University of Georgia and in 1959 a Masters in Taxation from New York University, Phi Delta Phi.
Following graduation from NYU, Mitchell joined the law firm Connerat, Dunn & Hunter, now known as Hunter Maclean, where his father, Henry Dunn had been a founding partner. Mitchell forged his own path as a leading partner at Hunter Maclean for close to 60 years. He was a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel which provides recognition to leading members of the Bar who have made significant contributions to the understanding and improvement of our tax system; a member of the American Bar Foundation, and a founding Trustee and later President of the Southern Federal Tax Institute. He served as President of the Georgia Academy of Hospital Attorneys and was a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia.
Mitchell long held a deep-seated commitment to his community and exercised his keen intellect on a myriad of projects both legal and philanthropic throughout his life. He donated his time to many organizations including The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Georgia Infirmary, Hibernian Society of Savannah, Telfair Museum, Historic Savannah Foundation, Cashiers Historical Society, Savannah Benevolent Association, Southern Golf Association, Cosmos Club, Savannah Golf Club, Oglethorpe Club, and Chatham Club.
Carrying forward the family’s history of service to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Mitchell served as its General Counsel for many years. He was a driving force in the board driven merger of St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospitals.
Throughout his life, Mitchell was a loyal friend, a generous mentor, a trusted advisor and a respected colleague. Never being the loudest voice in the room, he sat back and listened. When everyone had expressed their views, often to his consternation, he would quietly come forward with exactly the right course of action. His clarity of thinking and sound judgement shaped the lives of many.
Mitchell was passionate about real estate, history and country music. He took great pleasure in driving from location to location subjecting his passengers to songs by Tom T. Hall to Willie Nelson or lengthy tomes on audiobooks focused on early American history. His favorite place was the top of Snowbird Mountain in North Carolina where he often went to read, hike and run his beloved vizsla, Ruby.
Mitchell and his wife Polly spent their summers in Cashiers, North Carolina and supported many community efforts there. He was a charter member of The Wade Hampton Golf Club. The flag at the Wade Hampton Club flies at half-staff in his honor.
Mitchell is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth Space Dunn, his sister Audrey Dunn Platt, his brother Joseph Laurence Dunn, and his two children Elizabeth Dunn of Savannah, GA and Eleanor Dunn of Guyton, GA., and three grandchildren, Maggie and Henry Shiftan and Austin Dunn. He was devoted to and adored by his family.
A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2020 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Due to known limitations on large gatherings, a private mass will be held at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Lafayette Square, followed by private burial at the Catholic Cemetery. To view a livestream of the service visit savannahcathedral.org.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to: The Savannah Benevolent Association in care of Treasurer, 50 Tidewater Way Savannah, Georgia 31411, The St. Joseph’s /Candler Georgia Infirmary, or St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundation, both addressed to: Heart and Lung Building, 5356 Reynolds Street, Suite 400, Savannah, Georgia 31405, or the charity of your choice.
A candle has been lit!
Such a great man. Will truly be missed. My prayers are with the family.
- Lee E. Wright, Savannah, Ga.
Eleanor and Austin, we are so sorry to read about you father. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Love. Jackie and Charlie
- Jackie and Charlie Brown, Tybee Island/Metter
Polly, I am deveststed. I will forever cherish my friendship with Mitchell and be very grateful for his kindness and love. The many visits to Snowbird with our beloved vizslas will remain in my heart. ❤️
- Kenyon Varn Merritt, Jacksonville , FL
So sorry to hear about your brother. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bob and Bonnie Dixon
- Robert Dixon, Savannah, GA
So very sorry to learn of Mitchell’s passing. He was a great guy.
- Kathleen Brewin Lewis, Atlanta , GA
Your family has my deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Dunn. I am a former employee of HMED. He was always such a sweet caring and kind person.
- Belinda A Green, Savannah, GA
Rick and I send our sincerest sympathies to your family. We were so fond of Mitchell and know he will be missed my so many. What a wonderful man .... and a life well lived. God bless you , Polly, and your wonderful family. Robin and Rick
- Rick and Robin Allen, Augusta, GA
Truly sorry for your loss. He will be missed.
- Julian & Shirley Heeth, Gainesville, Georgia
Polly i am devastated to here about Mitchell. Our families prayers are with you. From your golfing buddy, Betty
- Betty Higgins , Cashiers, NC
Polly, my heart aches for you and your sorrow of missing Mitchell.But as time will help, I know you’ll have lots of fun and loving memories of your time together, now and forever. Remember, he’s just waiting on the other shore. hugs, Roddy
- Roddy Tattersall, Cashiers, NC
What great memories we have of both Mitchell, and you Polly. Our thoughts are with you. We will miss Mitchell and hope to see you soon back at Wade Hampton. Juha and Nancy
- Juha and Nancy Kokko, Cashiers, NC
Sending my deepest condolences to the Dunn family i am thinking of you during this time , may the peace of Christ Jesus cover you and may you find healing in him during this time.
- Nolly Ngwenya, Cashiers, North Carolina
Polly, My sorrow goes out to you and family in the loss of Mitchell. He was as fine a gentleman as any man I ever knew. He and that smile will be missed by all who knew him . I feel privileged to have known him. Thinking of you. Galen
- Galen Kilburn Jr., Atl., Ga.
Polly, Don and I are saddened for your loss yet grateful for the opportunity to have known such a fun, quick-witted,true Southern gentleman. Mitchell was a great friend of ours as well as my dad’s - as were you, going back to y’all’s childhood memories! It is with great sadness that I’ve learned of Mitchell’s passing. With love, Julie and Don Taylor
- Julie Taylor, Augusta, GA
Polly, what a shock. I an so sorry you lost Mitchell. He was such a gentleman and he will be missed. Kayand Joe Bollinger
- Bollinger, Snowbird, NC
Polly, sincere condolences . This seems the worst possible time to suffer such a loss but I know how strong you are. My prayers will be with you that sweet memories will sustain you.
- Linda Quick, Cashiers, NC
We have lost a true gentleman. His kindness and organizational skills will live long after. He will be missed by so many.
- Gale & Gene Cartledge, Savannah
Deepest sympathy to Polly and the family. So sad about Mitchell's passing. You are all in my heart.
- Strachan Pindar, Boone, North Carolina
Dearest Polly, our hearts and thoughts and prayers are with you....Mitchell was such a wonderful friend! Mama and Daddy loved y’all both....so much!! So do I! May Jesus comfort you and bless you and keep you focused on remembering all the sweet memories shared throughout the years! So many blessings..... Much love, Charleton and Warner
- Charleton Young Kennon , Columbus , Ga
My deepest condolences to the family.
- Cheryl DeWitt, Savannah , Ga
A candle has been lit!
Polly, I am so sorry for you, especially at this time, when it is so difficult to be with family and friends. You have many years of memories to support you through this period. We are all thinking of you! God bless you! Joanne
- Joanne Hayes, Nashville, Tennessee
There was only one 'Mitchell Dunn'. He was never 'Mitchell' to our family but always, "Mitchell Dunn.' He was bigger than life. He was so important in my life. I can still see his swing. I will miss him.
- hollis stacy, HOLMES BEACH, Florida
Elanor, Cindy and I are thinking of you and Austin. You and your family are special to many people both here and far. Please remember that you are loved.
- Mooney Family, Statesboro, GA
Dear Polly and Family, I send you my deepest sympathy and condolences with the passing of Mitchell. We have lost such a good man. I carry many memories of the friendship, working and personal, between Mitchell and my beloved Dan. May all of you be surrounded with peace and comfort, knowing that so many care. God bless.
- Carolyn Sheehan, Tybee Island, Georgia
We are sending heartfelt condolences to the Dunn family over the loss of Mitchell. He was a dear friend to our parents Dorothy & Billy Young. We have fond memories visits to Savannah, UGA football games gatherings , & trips to the beautiful North Carolina mountains. We are holding all you close in prayer!
- The Young Family , Columbus , Georgia
During my three terms as president of the Savannah Golf Club Mitchell was a constant source of advice and guidance. It was an honor to be his friend and fellow Hibernian . God look over you my friend.
- Jeff Fitzpatrick, Athens , Ga
Our condolences love ❤️ diane and spence
- Diane Connerat, Dacula, GA
Beautiful obituary. I treasure my memories of fun times with Mitchell and Polly at SFTI, skiing in Snowbird, and visits to Savannah. Whole Carlton has gained a friend in heaven, Mitchell will be dearly missed. Sending you prayers, hugs and love. Bonnie
- Bonnie Fleming, Charlotte, NC
A candle has been lit!
Please accept our condolences. We were sad to hear of Mitchell's passing. He will be missed and remembered fondly.
- PLATT, Brevard, NC
Polly, Please accept my heartfelt condolences at this time. Mitchell was lovely and unique. I remember him well. Allison Brennan
- Allison Brennan Yeoman, Baltimore , Maryland
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
- Memorial Visitation
- 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Mon, September 14, 2020
- Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
-
7200 Hodgson Memorial Drive (map)
Savannah GA 31406 - 912-352-7200