Charles Carl Dunaway

January 14, 1949 - January 25, 2025

Charles Carl Dunaway, 76, passed from this life on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at his farm in Willis, Virginia. Charley was born on January 14, 1949 in Taylorville, Illinois to Zebert Edgar Dunaway and Odessa Irene Wilhour Dunaway. The family lived on a farm that his dad cultivated in Owaneco, Illinois. Charley was active on the farm, learning mechanical, carpentry and other skills that he was able to use throughout his life.

He attended Taylorville Senior High School and graduated in 1967, after which he enlisted in the Army and was sent to Germany and Vietnam. He served for three years in the 101st Airborne Division and was honorably discharged in 1971.

After returning to the US, Charley was married four times, first to Mary Elaine Miller. His second wife was Cynthia Bingham, who was Colby Dunaway’s mother. After exploring and working in the West for several years, he purchased his farm in Willis and moved there in 1977. His third marriage was to Dreema Puckett, the mother of Shawn, Odessa, Jacob and Courtney Dunaway.

In 1993, Charley married Vicki Hamden Karagianis in the newly established Friends (Quaker) Meeting in Floyd. They enjoyed an adventurous life together, first living just outside of Floyd and then moving back to his farm in Willis. Charley had worked for years as an electrical foreman until he broke both legs in a fall off a roof. After initial recovery from that injury, he began doing odd jobs for friends in Floyd County, but he was never able to return to industrial electrical work.

After buying a milk cow and learning to make cheese, Charley helped Vicki set up a cheese-making plant in Willis known as Ladybug MicroCreamery. They sold cheese, eggs and vegetables at the Blacksburg Farmers’ Market and other local outlets, including the Harvest Moon in Floyd. In 2007, they sold the business and moved to Hawaii to work on a small goat dairy farm, where they stayed until 2011. When they moved back to the mainland, Vicki relocated to Oregon to be close to her daughter from a previous marriage. Since then, Charley divided his time between staying with Vicki in Oregon during the winter and on his farm in Willis, to be close to his children and grandchildren and to plant a big garden every summer.

Throughout his life, Charley was intensely interested in Nature and growing and foraging food. When young, he hunted wild animals for food and also loved gathering morel mushrooms with his family near their home. Later he belonged to the American Chestnut Society, The North American Fruit Explorers, the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, and the Cascade Mycological Society in Oregon. He enjoyed experimenting with new crops and fruit trees and saving his own seed, as well as cooking and processing the food that he grew. In Oregon he learned to crab and dig clams, and took pleasure in learning new edible mushrooms and wild plants.

Charley Dunaway was preceded in death by both of his parents, as well as by two sisters, Mary Carol and Susan. He is survived by his wife, Vicki Hamden Dunaway, his wife of over 30 years. Also surviving are his five children: Colby Dunaway, who lives in Eugene, Oregon; Shawn Dunaway is a resident of North Carolina. Odessa Dunaway resides in Virginia with her two children, George and Gabriella. Jacob Dunaway resides on Charley’s farm with his wife Connie and their two children,

Rachel and Ethon. Courtney Dunaway Hatch lives in Texas with her husband, James, and their children, Mackenzie, Jaxon, Seth and Alexandria.

Also surviving are a living sister – Jeanne Dunaway Rehling of Owaneco – and four living brothers: Lynn, Gerald, Robert (Bob) and Elmer Dunaway, all of Taylorville.

Charley was a sweet, gentle man who will be missed. As his brother Bob wrote:

“Elmer says that Charley was his hero. That is probably true for all of us. He was older, wiser, and braver than the rest of us. He led us, pushed us, and walked with us. Charley was always teaching; eager to share his vast knowledge with family and others.”

No public service is planned at this time.

Vicky, I am so sorry to hear of Charley’s passing. I liked both of you a lot. It was fun learning to make cheese together. I used to own and make cheese for Mountain Hobby Farms here in Willis. I have remarried, and am very happy. I would love to hear from you. My address is: Sharon Oestreicher, 127 Bannock Burn Lane, SW, Willis, VA 24480. I am on Facebook.

We miss him.

Aloha Dear Vicki, How wonderful this tribute to Charlie! I loved him dearly. I saw that gentle, wise soul so clearly. A magnificent man who excelled in helping others by just being himself.

I am so sorry to hear of Charley's passing. I had not seen him in several years but we had many adventures working together back in the day. Charley was a very skilled tradesman, a hard worker and a reliable friend. I will miss him and remember fondly our friendship.

Dear Vicki, We didn’t know Charles well, but we are sorry for your loss. If there is anything you need, please reach out. I still have the part of the plant you gave for my mom’s funeral. Ricky’s wife, Regan, has another part. The final part is with Howard. It was a very nice sentiment and we wanted you to know that we appreciated you coming to her funeral very much. We know it was a sacrifice. Rachel

Charlie was my neighbor for many years.He installed my first telephone . HE was a very nice man.He will be missed.

We had a great time in Heidelberg Germany in 1969. Very interesting guy.