Arthur Harold Dungan, known to all as Harold, passed away after a brief battle with cancer on May 25, 2024, at the age of 81.
Born on March 23, 1943, in Cedar Vale, Kansas, the fourth and youngest child of Arthur and Creola Dungan, Harold was known for being a man of many contradictions. He was a history buff, loved reading, and seemed to have a wealth of knowledge, despite struggling in school. He was a talented carpenter who never got around to finishing the house he started building 40 years ago. He was generous with strangers, neighbors, and scholarship funds but never spent a dime on himself, except for that purple Jaguar. And of course, he loved contradicting others whenever he had the chance. He met friends “to argue” over coffee up until the end.
Harold served in the U.S. Army for six years, most memorably as part of Operation Big Lift in 1963, the largest movement of troops by air to that date. He later had many jobs and adventures across the United States, including working as a logger in Alaska, a farm hand in Kansas, and a handyman in Arizona, before settling in Wisconsin and becoming a union carpenter and later a truck driver, driving all over the U.S. and Canada. He made friends with many people, and every stray dog and cat along the way.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Creola, sister Mary Evelyn Allen, and brother Levi Dungan. Harold is survived by his daughters, Janice and Mary, four grandchildren, and his brother Richard Dungan. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of a good story, and his contributions to the community.
Per Harold’s request, his body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program for medical education. A private memorial service will be held for family and close friends at a later date. If desired, memorial gifts may be made to the Spring Valley Alumni Memorial Scholarship by sending checks payable to: “Spring Valley Schools Scholarship Fund” to School District of Spring Valley, C/O Scholarship Fund, S1450 County Road CC Spring Valley, WI, 54767.
