Ashland - A CELEBRATION OF LIFE:

Michael Lynn Dunaway, 84, of Ashland, Kentucky, passed away early Thursday morning, September 11, 2025, at UK King's Daughters Medical Center. He was born Thursday, January 2, 1941, in Martin, Kentucky, a son of the late Roy and Ethel Mae Blankenship Dunaway.

He was a proud graduate of Russell High School, and Friday nights in the fall were always special to him. With his transistor radio tuned in, he could be found cheering for his home team as if he were right there in the bleachers. Those nights carried the spirit of his youth, and he never lost that simple joy.

For more than fifty years, Mike and his friends made a tradition of going to Keeneland together. It wasn't just about the races — it was about laughter, friendship, and keeping a bond alive across the decades.

He also had a tender heart for animals, especially the neighborhood dogs. They knew his door well, where he always kept treats ready. One by one, they would show up, tails wagging, and he would hand out their goodies like candy on Halloween. It became a little ritual of love that brought joy to him and trust to them.

Mike was also an avid reader, ending each day with a book in hand, always keeping his mind sharp. Every evening, he tuned into Jeopardy! calling out the answers with confidence. If he had ever stood at that podium, there's no doubt he would have won.

He was a devoted member of the Elks, the American Legion, and the Eagles Club, where he found fellowship and friendship that carried him through the years.

Mike was also a lover of music. He regularly listened to Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, and the folk singers of the 1960s while playing pool in his finished basement.

He will be remembered for his quick wit, his practical jokes, and the love he had for his family.

Mike proudly served in the United States Army, enlisting on June 5, 1963, in Greenup, Kentucky, and serving until June 4, 1965. During his enlistment, he earned the rank of PFC E-3 and was awarded the Marksman and Good Conduct Medals.

In addition to his parents, Roy and Ethel Mae, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy E. "Gene" Dunaway and Max Dunaway. He is survived by a son, Sean (Amanda) Dunaway of Russell, Kentucky; a daughter, Amy Sarratt of Burlington, North Carolina; and two nieces, Michelle Dunaway of Boca Raton, Florida, and Stephanie Dunaway of Ashland, Kentucky.

A committal service for Mike, with full military honors, will be held at 12:00 noon, Friday, September 19, 2025, at Bellefonte Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mfhfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Miller Funeral Home in Ashland, Kentucky.