‘Grateful that he came our way.’ Cecil Dunn, attorney who led Hope Center, has died
Cecil Dunn, 86, a Lexington attorney and former executive director of the Hope Center, died Saturday after a short illness, according to his obituary.
In his legal career, which spanned 60 years, Dunn focused on the development of affordable multi-family housing and was general counsel for the Kentucky Housing Corporation, according to the obituary. He also was an assistant county attorney, a criminal trial commissioner and served as special prosecutor for the state during the investigation into the 1977 Beverly Hills Supper Club fire, which left 165 people dead.
But it was his work at the Hope Center in the latter part of his career that he may be most remembered for. Dunn spent more than two decades championing the organization, emphasizing that it not only provides for the immediate needs for food and shelter of the clients it serves but also addresses the underlying issues related to homelessness, such as such as substance abuse, employment needs and mental illness.
“It was the best thing that I have ever been associated with,” Dunn once said, according to the obituary, which is posted on the Milward Funeral Directors website. “Second chances are born and nurtured here.”
“Cecil Dunn was an outstanding attorney who devoted countless hours to improving our city,” Mayor Linda Gorton said in a statement. “He led the Hope Center for 24 years, providing shelter for thousands of men. He was also an active supporter of University of Kentucky basketball, and Lexington Center, where he served on the board. Join me in praying for his family and friends at this difficult time.”
“Cecil’s life was one of great consequence,” former state auditor Adam Edelen wrote in a statement. “From the thousands of folks who relied upon his Hope Center to beat their addictions, to hundreds who have roofs over their head because of his work in housing, Cecil lived the golden rule. An old school mover and shaker who preferred to wield his vast influence behind the scenes, his impact on the ‘the least amongst us’ dwarfs that of most of our more public-facing leaders.”
Former Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman Debra Hensley said she was saddened to learn of Dunn’s death.
“I have a fond memory of sitting at a table with Don Ball at Donamire Farm going over lots of applications for the next executive director,” she said in a message. “We did a rather large search to try to find the the next best leader.”
When they came to Dunn’s application, Hensley said she and Ball looked at each other and said, “Oh my God. Are we ever lucky or what?”
“He was the right person for that leadership position at the right time,” Hensley said. “I’m so very very grateful that he came our way.”
Edelen, who now runs a solar energy company, said he considered Dunn a father figure.
“A partisan Democrat, he never let political differences get in the way of a productive friendship, as his 50 year partnership with Don Ball powerfully demonstrated,” Edelen wrote.
Dunn, a native of Richmond, met his wife of 58 years, Judy Gish, while serving in the Army, according to his obituary.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Patrick, Michael and Geoffrey.
Dunn was a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law and the Lexington Theological Seminary.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 174 North Mill Street, where Dunn was a member.
A celebration of life service will begin at noon, and a graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Richmond Cemetery, on Main Street in Richmond.
