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Noah Jackson "Big Jack" Dunning
Business Man" Pillar of the Community and Friend to All"
Tribute Prepared by Little Jack Dunning
 Noah Jackson "Big Jack" Dunning was born in the 10th district of Weakley County on August 24, 1904 to Henry Herbert "Hub" Dunning and Lydia Mae Sanders. He was one of four children, two of which died at birth. Jack was raised on the farm and received his education at Parks school (a two room country school). He married Maggie Bell Stallcup on August 10, 1924.
He tried his luck at farming for a few years and then followed his older brother Jim to Gleason to try his hand at public work. His first venture was barbering since this is what Jim was doing. He then bought the ESSO service station that was located where Johnnies is now. A few years later, he bought the farm next to his dad's and moved back to the country, where he lived for two years.
By this time it was 1938 and Jack had two children "Estelle and Little Jack". He then bought a Mr. Fowlers grocery store and moved back to town, living in a house where the Gleason Clinic is now located. His store was where the new buildings of the Gleason Hardware now stand, but some time later he moved it in front where the bank is located.
Big Jack, R.A. Nance and his son-law formed a new clay company, but before they could start mining they sold the company to United Clay. Jack continued to work for the clay company as drilling superintendent, while Maggie Bell and Hub ran the store. In 1946 they sold the store to Doyle and Paul Capps.
Jack continued to work for the clay company as mining superintendent until 1950 when he retired. He later sold cars for Ward Chevrolet and for Russell Chevrolet, both in McKenzie, and later carried the mail as sub-carrier for route one Gleason U.S. Postal Service until 1968 when he finally retired to be with his ailing wife.
In 1939 Jack and family moved to the house on North Cedar street where M. M. Beasley now lives. Jack was a active member of Sandhill Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, a member of Gleason Masonic lodge # 330 and served for a time as Master of the Lodge.
Big Jack also served a term or two on the Gleason City Board and as fire chief of the Gleason Fire Department.
Maggie Bell died in 1971. Jack followed her in death in 1976.
Jack was a cornerstone of the Town of Gleason. He was a man dedicated to wife and family, was well liked by all and had many friends. He was a man who never saw a stranger!
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