Ricky Dunavent, Sr.

Richard Layne “Rick” Dunavent, Sr., 58, of Frankfort died from pancreatic cancer on June 11, 2009, at his home, attended by his wife, Billie M. Sebastian Dunavent, and mother, Marie Frances Dunavent of Owenton. He is also survived by two daughters, Jessica Leigh (J.R.) Lovins of Cutler Bay, FL and Candace Layne (Brad) Thayer of Marietta, GA; one son, Richard Layne Dunavent II, a family friend Amanda Ulam both of Charlotte, NC; the mother of his children, Janice Vance Dunavent of Owenton; one brother, Gary Dunavent of Lebanon, IN, as well as five grandchildren, Olivia Grace Thayer, James Kohl Lovins, Eva Layne Thayer, Nadia Lynn Thayer, and Myles Robert Lovins. Rick was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Birchett Dunavent, Jr. Rick was born on April 28, 1951, in Frankfort. He was a 1969 graduate of Owen County High School; U.S. Army infantry training with the Green Berets and 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, NC (1970); and the U.S. Army Transportation Center, Ft. Eustis, VA (1970). He was a retiree of Allied Automotive (Bendix) in Frankfort. At the time of his death, he was employed as a Player Services Representative for TwinSpires.com, a part of Churchill Downs, Inc. Rick was a six-year veteran of the Kentucky National Guard where he served as a helicopter mechanic. He had worked in various restaurants honing his culinary skills and often catered to a multitude of family and friends. A consummate entertainer, Rick had played professionally as a percussionist with several bands in his youth. In the recent past he was a guest performer playing his harmonicas in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the Pinnacle Peak Patio restaurant. He and his wife owned a Thoroughbred and champion purebred Arabian horses. Rick was raised in the First Christian Church of Owenton and was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Frankfort at the time of his death. Arrangements are being handled by McDonald & New Funeral Homes where family will receive friends at the Main Street location on Sunday, June 14th from 2-6pm. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1pm with Bro. Scott Bryan and Bro. Bill Watson officiating. Burial will be in the Owenton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either church or Hospice of the Bluegrass.