James Allen Dunwell was born on October 22, 1960 in Lake City, Minnesota, to Milton and Mildred Dunwell and grew up in Farmington, Minnesota. Jim moved to Rapid City, South Dakota in 1983 where he met Katie Gunn, the love of his life. They were married on July 6, 1984. Four years later they moved their family to Ames, Iowa, where Jim completed his degree in Architecture from Iowa State University.

Jim, Katie and their youngest daughter Elizabeth moved to Oregon in 2001. Jim spent the rest of his life there, and with Katie by his side they explored all the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. On any given Saturday morning they could be found driving to the coast, the high desert, or the mountains.

Everywhere Jim went he made close friends. The sentiments from his colleagues, friends, and family are all the same. He will be fondly remembered as genuine, kind, humble, gentle, smart, and friendly. He shined in his career as an architect, and he leaves us all looking up at a beautiful building with a different set of eyes.

Jim's most beloved role was that in a house full of girls. He was a devoted and loving husband, a caring yet fun Dad to his three daughters, and a silly and affectionate Papa to his two granddaughters. He will forever be remembered for his ability to tell great stories. He always had time for others, whether it was going over geometry homework with his girls, or fostering (and keeping) shelter cats.

Jim's faith was strong and the Lord held him as he navigated his hardest days. The journey to his eternal Heavenly home was on one of those Oregon Saturday mornings that he loved so much.

Jim is survived by his wife Katie; daughters Laura Gunn of California, Elizabeth Dunwell of Oregon, Julie Benedict and granddaughters Emily and Claire of Oklahoma, Jacob Benedict who was like a son to him, and his wonderful extended family in Minnesota.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Wilsonville Funeral Home. Service will be at 2:00 on Thursday May 23 at Grace Chapel in Wilsonville, Oregon.