I have always been drawn to the stories that hide behind the spotlight. John Macdowell Dunaway Jr. lived one such tale. Born on August 9, 1920, in the quiet community of Greenwood, Florida, he grew up in a rural Southern landscape that shaped his sense of duty. Like a sturdy oak whose roots grip the earth while branches reach wide, he anchored his family through decades of movement and change. He passed away on June 6, 1984, at age 63 in Bradenton, Florida, leaving behind a legacy written not in headlines but in the steady steps of military service and family devotion.
The Early Years That Forged a Soldier
Life began for John Macdowell Dunaway Jr. in Jackson County, Florida. Censuses from 1930 and 1935 show him with his parents. In 1939, he was ready for the next chapter. At 19, he married Grace April Smith in the same county on August 11. Grace, born April 22, 1922, in Bascom, Florida, warmed and strengthened their young marriage. Global conflict loomed as they started a family.
Few moments of quiet followed. Dorothy Faye Dunaway, their first child, was born in Bascom on January 14, 1941. A second son, MacDowell Simmion Dunaway, was born at Bascom on November 29, 1942. Two children in a row, a 16-year marriage till dissolution in 1955. However, early Florida days fostered close ties tested by distance.
Military Service: Marches That Moved a Family
John Macdowell Dunaway Jr. answered the call on March 17, 1945, when he enlisted at Camp Blanding, Florida. He served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army through World War II and into the Korean War era. His inscription on the headstone at Mansion Memorial Park in Ellenton, Florida, reads simply S SGT US Army World War II. That title carries weight.
Postings stretched from domestic bases to overseas stations. The 1950 census captured the family in Temple, Bell County, Texas. Earlier years included time in Mannheim, Germany, during Faye’s school days from 1953 to 1955. The family lived the classic army brat experience: constant packing, new schools, and the rhythm of military life. John’s career provided structure. It also demanded sacrifice. Grace managed the household through each relocation while John fulfilled his duties. By retirement he had logged years of service that spanned two major conflicts and countless miles.
Grace April Smith: The Steadfast Partner
Grace April Smith stood as John Macdowell Dunaway Jr.’s first and primary spouse. Born in Bascom on April 22, 1922, she married him at age 17. Together they navigated the uncertainties of wartime and peacetime moves. After their divorce around 1955, Grace remarried James Franklin Hartshorn in 1964 in Richland County, South Carolina. She worked at Fort Jackson and remained active in her church until her death on June 1, 2004, at age 82 in Richland County. Her obituary listed both Faye and Mac as survivors, along with grandchildren including Liam O’Neill. Grace’s life after the marriage showed continued strength and independence.
Faye Dunaway: The Daughter Who Reached the Stars
Faye, born January 14, 1941, became one of Hollywood’s brightest lights. Yet her roots trace directly to John Macdowell Dunaway Jr. and the peripatetic childhood he provided. She has spoken in interviews about the constant travel and the father figure whose military world formed her early memories. Faye gave John a grandson, Liam Dunaway O’Neill, born in 1980. That connection links three generations in a single line of family pride.
Mac Simmion Dunaway: The Brother Who Built His Own Path
Born in Bascom on November 29, 1942, MacDowell Simmion Dunaway had a distinct path but the same family values. His childhood was spent around the country and abroad as an army brat. His future wife, Brenda Bagley, met him in Anniston, Alabama, high school. Their marriage lasted 57 years till his death.
Mac studied law at Alabama. The future U.S. Senator clerked for Magistrate Judge Richard Shelby. He worked at the Chicago Federal Trade Commission and subsequently in Washington, D.C., in 1967. He joined Gall, Lane and Powell and Reed Smith as a partner. After founding Dunaway, McCarthy & Dye and Dunaway & Cross, he managed them to the end. At the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center, colleagues honored his aerospace contributions.
For 40 years, Mac and Brenda hosted famous Christmas family sing-alongs in Chevy Chase. He played golf, fishing, and hunting overseas, but preferred local courses. Alabama Crimson Tide and every team his grandchildren joined were his sports passions. Mac died at 79 in Bluffton, South Carolina, on July 13, 2022. The obituary called him brother to Faye and uncle to Liam O’Neill. Bride Brenda, children Ashley Dunaway Johnston, Derek Dunaway, and Leslie Dunaway May, and seven grandchildren: Bailey, MacDowell, Walker, Hollis, Harrison, Reeve, and Daphne Grace Dunaway.
Here is a clear overview of the immediate family:
| Family Member | Relationship to John Macdowell Dunaway Jr. | Birth Year | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grace April Smith | First spouse | 1922 | Married 1939, divorced ~1955, later remarried, worked at Fort Jackson |
| Faye Dunaway | Daughter | 1941 | Acclaimed actress, mother of Liam O’Neill |
| Mac Simmion Dunaway | Son | 1942 | Lawyer, founded law firms, died 2022 |
| Liam Dunaway O’Neill | Grandson (via Faye) | 1980 | Son of Faye Dunaway |
| Ashley Dunaway Johnston | Granddaughter (via Mac) | Living | Married to Robert Johnston |
| Derek Dunaway | Grandson (via Mac) | Living | Married to Pascale Pritsios |
| Leslie Dunaway May | Granddaughter (via Mac) | Living | Married to Edward May |
These names and dates paint a vivid portrait of continuity. Each person carried forward the discipline and warmth John Macdowell Dunaway Jr. modeled.
Reflections on a Life Well Lived
John Macdowell Dunaway Jr. never sought the spotlight. His military service from 1945 onward and the family he raised amid constant change speak louder than any award. Grace’s later years, Faye’s stardom, and Mac’s professional success all trace back to the foundation he helped build. Liam O’Neill represents the next link in that chain.
FAQ
Who exactly was John Macdowell Dunaway Jr.?
John Macdowell Dunaway Jr. was a U.S. Army staff sergeant born August 9, 1920, in Greenwood, Florida. He died June 6, 1984, in Bradenton, Florida. He married Grace April Smith in 1939 and fathered actress Faye Dunaway and lawyer Mac Simmion Dunaway. His career spanned World War II and beyond, shaping a nomadic yet close family.
What role did military life play in the family?
Military postings defined daily existence. The family moved frequently, living on bases in Florida, Texas, and Germany. This created adaptability but also strong sibling bonds between Faye and Mac. John’s enlistment on March 17, 1945, and retirement as staff sergeant provided stability through discipline.
How did Grace April Smith contribute after the marriage ended?
Grace remarried in 1964 and worked at Fort Jackson until retirement. She remained close to her children and grandchildren, including Liam O’Neill. Her obituary from 2004 highlighted Faye and Mac as survivors, showing enduring family ties.
What achievements marked Mac Simmion Dunaway’s career?
Mac earned a law degree at the University of Alabama, clerked for a future senator, and built a distinguished practice in Washington, D.C. He founded two firms and earned recognition at the Smithsonian for aerospace work. Family traditions like annual sing-alongs defined his personal legacy until his death in 2022 at age 79.
How does Liam Dunaway O’Neill fit into the family story?
Liam, born in 1980, is Faye’s son and John Macdowell Dunaway Jr.’s grandson. He represents the bridge to the next generation, mentioned warmly in Mac’s obituary as a nephew. His presence keeps the family narrative alive today.
