Jeffrey R. “Jeff” Dunmyre, 69, of Chelsea, AL formerly of Chicora passed away while in the company of his family on Sunday afternoon, May 14, 2023 at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham, AL.
Jeffrey was born in Butler on April 12, 1954. He was the son of the late Robert L and Avanelle M. Hilderbrand Dunmyre.
Jeff was a 1972 graduate of Karns City Area High School and had earned a degree in Business Administration from Clarion State College. Jeffrey was certified by the United States Department of Transportation as a Safety Auditor II, Federal Special Investigator. He conducted safety compliance audits for the interstate transportation industry. In his earlier years, Jeff worked for the Alabama Trucking Association, and was the first runner-up Safety Professional of the Year for the association in 2004. Jeff retired from the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging.
Jeff was well known and loved for portraying Santa Claus in the Chelsea area at hospitals, churches, restaurants and residences, and had played Santa Claus at an event featuring former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Jeff also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Jeff is survived by two sisters, Jody A. Dunmyre of Chicora, and Lana S. Callihan and her husband Daniel, of Ellicott City, MD; a brother, Christopher S. Dunmyre of Chicora; a nephew, Daniel Callihan and his wife Kristen; two nieces, Erin Lentscher and her husband James, and Shannon Hardee and her husband Jonathan; an aunt, Sandra Hilderbrand of Butler as well as a number of great nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends will be received at Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora from 4 to 8 pm Friday, May 26. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 27 from Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, St. Clare Parish in Chicora with the Rev. Matt McClain, church pastor officiating. Interment will be in Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora.
For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.