James "Jim" L. Dunavan

James “Jim” Lee Dunavan, age 88, of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at his home.

Jim was born December 5, 1937, to Maxine (Deatherage) Dunavan and Ellis Dunavan. He was born and raised in Jackson, Tennesse, and graduated from Southside High School in 1958. Following his graduation, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy serving in San Diego, California and Sasebo, Japan; he was honorably discharged in 1962.

In 1963, Jim accepted a quality control inspector position for the Boeing Company in Great Falls, Montana. He worked for 15 years with Boeing as the Seattle-based company installed Minuteman Missiles at various Air Force bases in Montana, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

While in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jim met Naomi Hall, and the couple married in 1964. Boeing transferred them to Grand Forks Air Force Base in 1975. In 1976, Jim obtained his Real Estate license. Leaving Boeing in 1977, Jim pursued a new path in real estate within the Grand Forks and East Grand Forks communities. His entrepreneurial spirit flourished when he acquired Century 21 Red River Realty in 1982, serving as owner and broker for 26 years. Even after selling the company in 2008, Jim’s dedication to his profession endured, as he continued to list and sell properties until his official retirement in 2022.

Beyond his business acumen, Jim’s heart was deeply committed to charity. Following the devastating Flood of 1997, he and his colleagues at Century 21 Red River Realty led efforts to refurbish and sell homes, channeling all proceeds, amounting to nearly $1.85 million over ten years—to Easter Seals, a non-profit charity. Jim also devoted over 20 years serving as a director on the state board of Easter Seals Goodwill North Dakota, Inc., reflecting his deep commitment to helping others.

Jim was active in his church and with the Grand Forks Exchange Club. He enjoyed golf, traveling and fishing. His greatest pleasure came from spending time with Naomi, their sons and their families. His life was made complete when at the age of 56, he found his birth father, Troy Lee Frazier, still living in Jackson, Tennessee.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Naomi; sons, Troy (Sheri) of Savage, MN, and Dean (Jyl) of Shoreview, MN; four grandchildren, Amelia, Grace, Elyn and Ethan; brothers, John Tatum and T. Sam Tatum, both of Nashville, TN; nephew, John McKenzie of Jackson, TN; and sister-in-law, Geneva Frazier of Jackson, TN; and many other family members.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Maxine Tatum; his birth father, Troy Lee Frazier; brothers, Charles Frazier and Nathan Frazier; sister, Jane Austin; and his beloved grandmother who raised him, Eddie Deatherage.

Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.