- Details
- Hits: 314
Richard A. “Dick” Dunham
Pampa High School Class of 1956
Richard Allen Dunham was born in Pampa, Texas, on August 1, 1938 to Samuel “Fuddy” and Violet Dunham. He began attending Pampa schools as a fifth grader at Sam Houston Elementary. He also attended Pampa Junior High School, and graduated from Pampa High School in 1956. High school activities included church, boy scouts, Hi-Y Club, football, baseball and band.
In 1960, he graduated from West Texas State University with a BS degree in Education and was commissioned a 2 Lt. in the US Army.
While attending college, he was in the band for two years, where he was a member of Kappa Kappa PSI, a National honorary band fraternity. He was also a member of Reserve Office Training Corps, Sam Houston Rifles Drill Team, and the Association of US Army. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order, a National social fraternity. He has taken advanced studies from George Washington University, Oklahoma University, and Cameron University. He has a lifetime Texas Teaching Certificate and an Oklahoma Teaching Certificate.
Richard was married to Carol Griffiths on December 28, 1960. They have two children, Dr. Richard B. Dunham, dentist in Dalhart, Texas and Cami Skaggs, Gifted and Talented Coordinator in Perryton, Texas. They are also blessed with six grandchildren, Austin, Riley, Brynn, and Hayden Dunham, and Shelby and Addison Skaggs. Richard spends much of his retirement time on the road attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.
Richard served in the US Army for twenty-one years, retiring with the rank of Major in July 1982. He has served oversees tours of duty in Korea, Vietnam and Alaska. His state side tours have been at Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Holabind, Maryland; Chicago; Illinois; Hawaii; and Washington DC (Pentagon – with the Defense Intelligence Agency). Retiring at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Richard’s military education consisted of US Army Infantry School, Intelligence Staff Officer Course, Defense Against Methods of Entry Course, Intelligence Research Officers Course, and Associate Military Intelligence Officers Advanced Course.
He has been awarded the following decorations and medals: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Second Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Four Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device, two oversees service bars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with one Palm, Overseas Service Ribbon First Award and Army Service Ribbon.
Richard Dunham retired from the education field with twenty-five years of experience. While working for PISD, Richard served in numerous positions. He taught history, coached football and track, was the middle school athletic coordinator, and Chairman of the Panhandle Junior High Athletic League. In addition, he was the Assistant High School Golf Coach, and PISD Textbook Coordinator and Records Management Officer. He completed his education career as the PISD Athletic Director.
Richard is a member of the First Baptist Church in Pampa. He has taught Sunday School classes, and has served on the church finance committee. He is also an ordained Deacon. He has served two terms on the Hidden Hills Golf Course Advisory Board. He has also served on the Pampa ISD Facilities Committee, and on the United Way Board for two years. Currently, Richard is working as a liaison between the PHS Class of 1956 and the PISD administration. This work is regarding the Harvester Scholarship that is given from the funds raised by selling bricks and statues of the “Harvester”.