Obituary of Harold Sidney Dunavant

Harold S. Dunavant Harold S. Dunavant, age 78, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2008 at Feather River Hospital in Paradise of respiratory failure, following a short illness. Harold was born on July 7, 1929 in Gearvis, Oregon to Sidney Albert Dunavant and Nola Mae (Osbourn) Dunavant. The family moved to Gridley, CA in 1929 where Harold attended school at Manzanita Elementary. He never attended school past his 8th grade graduation. Harold married Josephine (Jo) Schlotthauer on April 30, 1949 in Reno, NV. He was a dairy farmer at the time and lived in Sutter County. After the birth of their first daughter, Gwen, the family moved to Decatur, Arkansas, then eventually settled in Wichita, Kansas, where Harold worked as a school custodian at West High School in Wichita. In 1959, the family moved back to California and lived in Chico for one year before moving back to his beloved Gridley. Gridley always held a special place in his heart. Harold took a job as school custodian and bus driver for Manzanita School where he worked for about eight years. He and his wife began their own contract janitorial business and serviced many of Gridley’s businesses for twenty years, before Harold became disabled. Harold and Jo moved to Paradise in 1980 and eventually retired to Magalia in 1982. Harold was a member of the Upper Ridge Seventh-day Adventist Church in Magalia. His wife and four children were his life. His hobbies were collecting radios and listening to police scanners. Harold was predeceased by both his parents and an infant sister, Una Vivian. He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Jo; daughters, Gwen (Frank) Dodini of Paradise, Jolene Dunavant of Magalia, Kathie (John) Rhoades of North Fork, CA; son, Dr. Delbert (Mary Ellen) Dunavant of Antioch, CA; two granddaughters, Michelle Key and Kimberly Morris; five great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a sister, Fay Sewell of Durham, NC; a brother, Roy Dunavant of Oswego, KS and a brother, Dale Dunavant of Pryor, OK. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Affordable Mortuary in Chico. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting contributions to 3ABN, P.O. Box 220, W. Frankfort, IL 62896-0220 (Three Angels Broadcasting Network.)