Carl Mathias Dunning of Spring Hill, Tennessee

May 15, 1947 - March 8, 2024

Carl Mathias, affectionately known to friends, colleagues and family throughout his life as “Thumper”, departed this life at his new home in Spring Hill, Tennessee, on March 8, 2024 after a long and courageous fight with cancer. He was attended at his bedside by his loving wife, Janet, and his son, Drew, along with his brother-in-law, Jack Vance, and sister-in-law Suzanne Vance (nee Brulotte) when he passed. Born in Chehalis, Washington, on May 15, 1947, Carl’s expansive spirit made him seem larger than life to all who knew him.

Carl graduated from Sunnyside, Washington, High School in 1965. While he played nearly all sports, he was a basketball standout and never outgrew his love for the game.  He was also an avid tennis player and, at the Sunnyside Country Club golf course, he began to develop his golf game which, over the years, became his abiding sports passion. Following high school, Carl went on to Washington State University (WSU) where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in in 1969.  He remained a lifelong supporter of WSU, particularly since his only son, Drew, attended and graduated from there. Drew was a nationally ranked field goal kicker for the WSU Cougars and his record for points scored stands today as the best in WSU history.  Suffice it to say, Thumper and Janet rarely missed a game.

Carl taught high school briefly after his collegiate career, but quickly discovered his calling was in the business world.  He went to work as toy manufacturer’s sales representative for some major brands and his sales acumen fueled his rise in that industry. It was during that period where he met and married Janet Vance-Dunning, a United Airlines flight attendant. They married in 1975 and remained as husband and wife at their home in Issaquah, Washington, until just before his passing, a period of nearly a half century.

It wasn’t long before he partnered with a friend and colleague, Bruce Mowery, and started Mowrey Dunning Sales. He represented all manner of toy companies, particularly in China, and thrived in that business the remainder of his life.  And this remembrance would be incomplete without a mention of his three biggest life’s passions beyond his family – Seattle Seahawks football, WSU football, and the game of golf.  A member of the Fairwood Country Club for decades, Thumper was nearly a scratch golfer and won more tournaments than there is space to list. He played all over the country and never, ever tired of the game.

Carl is survived by his wife, Janet, his son Drew, Drew’s wife Tricia, and their children/his grandchildren, Avery (age 8) and Mason (age 6).  He is preceded in death by his father, Carl Dunning, his mother, Francis Mathias Dunning, his brother David and his sister Sharon.  “Thumper” will be remembered by family in a private service on July 5th. He only asked that remembrances in lieu of flowers be done in his memory to a cause or charity meaningful to the mourner.