By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

CRITTENDEN - For the last three or four years, Paul Dunaway enjoyed setting up his produce stand on U.S. 25 near his Crittenden home, selling fresh produce he bought at local markets.

Mr. Dunaway, who was well-known in Crittenden, having served as a police officer in nearby towns, often returned home with little money because he gave the food away.

"If he knew someone - and knew they were poor and struggling - he wouldn't let them pay. He'd give you the shirt off his back," said his son, Terry Dunaway of Burlington. "He'd buy about $40 worth of produce and come home with $5, but he would be so happy anyway."

Paul Douglas Dunaway, former police chief of Independence, died Thursday at his home in Crittenden of colon cancer. He was 69.

Mr. Dunaway was raised in Estill County, Ky., and entered the U.S. Air Force in 1952. During his 20-year career in the military, he served in the Korean and Vietnam wars and lived in Japan and England, while also raising his family.

After being honorably discharged from the service in 1972, Mr. Dunaway returned to Northern Kentucky and shortly after began working as a police officer.

Before retiring in the early 1980s, Mr. Dunaway worked as a police officer in Elsmere, Florence and Bellevue, eventually becoming the police chief of the Independence Police Department.

In his retirement, Mr. Dunaway enjoyed operating the two "mom-and-pop" gas stations he owned, and working as an auto mechanic.

"He was very thoughtful and caring. And he could fix anything. People would call him up, and he would tell them what they had to do to fix the problem," his son said.

Other survivors include his wife, Wanda Dunaway of Crittenden; another son, Paul of Williamstown; a brother, Charles of Surprise, Ariz.; a sister, Christine Starnes of Newport; two stepbrothers, Roy and Herschel; a half-brother, Linville Dunaway of Irvine, Ky.; and seven grandchildren.

Visitation is 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at Stith Funeral Home, 7500 Highway 42, Florence. Service will follow. Burial in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Taylor Mill.

Memorials in memory of Paul Douglas Dunaway, c/o Huntington Bank.

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E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com