DL Capt. Dennis Dunagan

 

…..from family comes this news with the passing of retired DL Capt. Dennis Milton Dunagan, age 82.  Dennis joined Delta Air Lines 04-17-1970 and was based 052/ATG.  He is survived by his wife Josephine, and by his sons and their families.  PCN memorial site

~ IN MEMORY ~

USMC Veteran, Delta Captain Dennis M. Dunagan

Feb 4, 1943 - April 18, 2025

Retired aviator Dennis M. Dunagan slipped the surely bonds of earth and piloted his last flight on April 18, 2025. He flew west and passed away in Atlanta, GA.

 

He was born on Feb 4, 1943 to Robert and Ruth Dunagan and grew up in Atlanta, GA in the Boat Rock area. His first flight in an airplane was at an air show at the Atlanta-Hartsfield airport in an open cockpit biplane. It was a short flight, but was the start of a long aviation career based out of that same airport, flying jets.

 

After graduating from Headland High School in East Point, GA he attended North Georgia Military College. He fell in love with the military while he was there and excelled as the President of the Scabbard and Blade Club. He attended USMC officer training in the summers and upon graduation in 1965, earned a regular commission in the Marine Corps. Upon commissioning, he attended the Marine Basic School, bought a Pontiac GTO convertible and ultimately reported to Pensacola, FL for flight school. While in flight school, he flew the T-34 Mentor and the T-28 Trojan. After earning his wings, he knew he was headed to Vietnam and selected helicopters so he could work with the infantry.

 

He served in Vietnam from Oct 1967 until Nov 1968 where he flew the H-34 and the H-46. He was based out of Phu Bai and supported Operations in both Vietnam and Laos throughout the Tet Offensive, Battle of Hue and the Battle of Khe Sanh. He was recognized for bravery with multiple air medals and a Distinguished Flying Cross. Dennis saved countless American lives during his time as a helicopter pilot and was recognized even as recently as 2023 by a fellow Marine, albeit a completely stranger, as the pilot that saved his life and flew his Medical Evacuation flight. After Vietnam, Dennis returned to Pensacola as a flight instructor preparing the next generation of pilots to go to Vietnam.

 

Dennis transitioned from Active Duty to the Marine Reserves in 1970. When he left the Marines, he was hired by both Delta and Eastern, and ultimately picked Delta because they offered him the first class date. He started class at Delta on April 17, 1970. He initially checked out as an Engineer on the Convair 880 and the Delta C-130. Then he was an engineer on the DC-8. As a Marine Reservist, he was ultimately based at Dobbins ARB and flew Cobras. At Delta, he flew as an FO on the DC-9, DC-9 CA, MD-88 CA, L15 FO, 757/767 CA, 777 CA, and finally as a CA on the 767-400. He was a simulator instructor and APD for approximately his last 10 years on the Delta Seniority list. After retirement, he quickly returned to the training department and continued to instruct on the 757,767, and the 767-400. He was well known in the training department for his USMC lanyard, countless stories and sense of humor. He retired the second time during the COVID pandemic as the Air Lines were drawing down.

 

He is survived by his wife, Josephine Dunagan and his three boys, Ted, Keith and Timothy. He also has two grandsons - Nathan and Teague. His smile and sense of humor will be deeply missed. He was a talented pilot and always quick with a joke. He was well loved, had numerous friends, and always enjoyed his dogs. He was well known for saying that you get paid by the minute, the only time you can have too much fuel is when you are on fire and don’t fly in thunderstorms! Great advice to all pilots young and old.

 

For information about the funeral, please reach out to Timothy Dunagan at LeanF15@gmail.com   It will be for family and friends.