Stephen Kersten Dunning
July 10, 1989 – May 10, 2019
Stephen Kersten Dunning gently lay his burden down early in the morning of May 10, 2019. Stephen was a musician, composer, and a dedicated teacher who valued the well-being of his students above all else. Stephen was a complex and intelligent person, uncompromising, and impactful in the relationships formed during his life. Stephen was born on July 10, 1989 in Bryan, TX. He graduated from Bryan High School (with honors) a year early, and he became an Aggie at age 17, focusing on music. He also joined the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra as a double bass player. The next year Stephen transferred to the University of North Texas, where he majored in Music Composition and Theory and minored in double bass and cello performance. Stephen graduated early (with honors) at age 21.
Stephen began his career as a music teacher in Texas Public Schools. He always taught in Title I schools and was acutely aware of the problems that his poor, especially black and Hispanic students faced in their daily lives. Stephen kept an eye on his troubled students, and he spotted signs of distress early on. He made a point of getting to know their parents, often visiting their homes. Stephen worked hard and often stayed late to give private lessons to promising young musicians. He never charged for his services, and on several occasions he gave bright but poor students his own instruments. Stephen and his father joined together each year to donate thousands of dollars to local schools and charities focusing on the needs of poor children. Stephen loved hearing from his former students and continued to counsel some of them long after they left his classroom. It is an understatement to say that Stephen loved his students. He was especially fond of his former students from Hearne, where he worked for two years. During the past two years Stephen worked at the Harmony Science Academy in Bryan.
Stephen would want to be remembered for his music, his love for art, his humor and intellect, and most of all his love for living things – especially children. He was devoted to his family and close friends, and he loved them fiercely. Starting at age 8, Stephen and his father regularly played chess and talked about music, history, philosophy, and religion. Recently, Stephen and his father worked on a research project focusing on the musical evolution of Mussorgsky’s opera Boris Godunov. Stephen was an avid and deep reader, and he was a keen student of theology. He firmly believed in God and enjoyed learning about Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
Stephen is survived by his parents Chester Dunning and Elsie Kersten; his aunt and uncle, Claudia and Vic Lively; his aunt, Carol Ann O’Connär; his uncle, Al Kersten; his cousins, Mario Goertzel, Levi Brown, Ari Goertzel, Carolyn Goertzel, Megan Goertzel, Anora Brown, and Leah Brown; his “second mothers” Karen Hillier and Jan Krammer; his best friend and “brother” Sam Woodfin; his dear “brother” Doug Krammer; many other friends, and his cat Dolly Lama.
A Celebration of Stephen’s life will take place on Saturday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at Callaway Jones Funeral Center, 3001 S. College Ave. in Bryan. The tribute to Stephen will be followed immediately by a reception also at Callaway-Jones. A special invitation to attend is issued to Stephen’s beloved students and their families. Stephen’s parents and friends hope to see you there.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Boys & Girls Club of Brazos Valley (900 W. William J. Bryan Parkway, Bryan, TX 77803) or the Brazos Valley Food Bank (1501 Independence Ave, Bryan, TX 77803).
Express condolences at CallawayJones.com
Elsie and Chester, our hearts are hurting for and with you. Stephen was a gifted young man, who had so many things yet to offer this world. God rest his soul. May you and Chester feel God’s comforting embrace as you try to move forward.
With warmth and sympathy, Mark, Kathy and Rosie, etc.
Dear Elsie and Chester,
We are so sorry for your loss. I remember Stephen as a uniquely gifted musician and composer.
Our thoughts are with you. Bonnee and Peter
Much Love and fervent Prayers for Mr. Dunning parents and extended family. Great Loss to the Educational Arena.
Hello, this is Giana Serna, a student at Harmony. I can’t express how much sadness and sympathy I feel for you. He was not only a great teacher, he was considered a great friend. He will forever be missed. He taught me to love the little things and enjoy being a kid while I still can. I will remember him as the one person who focused on the good and not the bad. The hope in the lost faith. The truth in the lies. The light in the dark. May he be forever…free.
My childhood best friend, a creative and a huge part of what made me who I am today. I appreciate him and also his loving parents for having me in their house. Running through the backyard garden hunting bumblebees, sitting in awe of his Spawn action figure collection and laughing at his eccentric and esoteric sense of humor. I was a weird one and he celebrated that. Much love and wonderful memories. God Bless.
Dear Chester and Elsie, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your son, Stephen. He was clearly a gifted and extraordinary young man. There can be nothing worse than the death of one’s child. Please accept my condolences and warmest regards. Sincerely, Bruce
We are so sorry to hear about Stephen’s death- we were all very shocked-prayers to you all and what good memories- Stephen was such a bight young man and I remember Chester telling us stories about how much he cared for his students and things he did for them- Ho w wonderful!! He will be greatly missed.
When I heard about Stephen’s passing, all of the school parties, field trips and class plays at Sul Ross Elementary came to mind. Stephen was so smart and talented and caring and kind. It was evident even in elementary school that he was going to make the world a better place. It’s hard to believe the number of years that have passed since those precious memories were made.
Please know, your family is in our thoughts and prayers and Joe and I send our heartfelt condolences.
Dearest Elsie and Chester,
I was shocked and so saddened when I recently heard of Stephen’s death. I just now found and read this lovely obituary. What a terrible loss this is!
I know that this must be a terrible blow to you both, and that there isn’t very much anyone can do to help to soften it. But please know that I am grieving with you, and that I am sending many hugs and prayers for your peace.
Love from Denise C.
Mr.Dunnin was my best friend but not only my best friend he was da da greatest teacher and I miss him. I am a student from Harmony. We love u Mr dunning
I was also one of his students at Harmony Science Academy and he will be missed by all his student we loved he was one of the BEST teachers i have ever and may he rest in peace.
Chester and Elsie, I am sorry for my late condolences. Stephen and I were “Roomies” in college at Honors Hall at UNT and referred to each other as “Roomie” during that time when we were roomates. He played the cello beautifully. I initially thought we would have problems when I found out he was in band and that he practiced in the dorm. I was wrong and figured that out when he first practiced. To me, he was a master with any instrument he picked up. I could, for fun, request that a song be played and he would play it–without fail.
Stephen was, and is, the best roomate I ever had in college or thereafter. I am so sorry to hear of his passing so late and blame myself for thinking to try and contact him after so many years have passed. Our separate, semi-private rooms, was separated by a wall which connected into the kitchenette area. Between our doors, we decided to set up a chess table and play against each other. We would either finish a game at one sitting or, normally, we would each take turns throughout the day making our move. We had a totem which we would use to let each other know that it was your turn to make a move but I can’t remember what it was. You see, our chess games would take about a week or two to finish. We would normally make our moves when we left the dorm for the day or when we came in between classes. I think we used an eraser or cork from a wine bottle as a totem, if he made a move then he would take the totem and put it on my side of the board so that I could know that it was my turn to make a move and then I would proceed to move and vis-versas. He would win some, I would win others, and it was a great experience living with him.
Now, he would get some beautiful girlfriends or dates in college–to my surprise but, looking back, it was due to his personality. He was very intelligent. We lived with each other for only one semester but I learned a lot from him and he from me. But more so I learned from him as he was older at the time; he was an old soul. We would stay up late at night after classes and just talk. We made this signature drink called “The Roomie” (weren’t we clever to call it that?) and would sip it from a red solo cup as we discussed philosophy, women, music, politics, and everything else running through a 20-year old’s mind at the time.
At this point in time, I must admit that writing anything else would be rambling. However, I figured it would be best to share with each of you and this website the memories I shared with Stephen and hoped to discuss and relive with him as, in this point in time, I decided to try and reconnect with him. You see, I don’t have a facebook anymore (for the past 8 years) or any other social media account. Now, with this virus going on, I finally decide to try and reconnect with the people from my past and, to my dismay, find myself grieving for a good friend, a GREAT FRIEND, who I regret not keeping contact with on a more consistent basis.
If you decide that you want to contact me, for whatever reason, please reply to this post and I will send you my email or phone number. Again, I am sorry for your loss, Chester and Elsie, and I hope that this post does not cause you or your family greater pain and anguish in my Roomie’s death. It is not my intention, after all this time, to bring you pain and suffering or cause you to relive the grief of the loss of your son. Honestly, I was hoping to be able to speak with Stephen myself and relive our good old time together in the dorms at least one more time; to see if he had any memories which I had forgotten after the passage of time. To me, sharing these memories with you is the next best thing. I do have a picture or two of him if you would like me to send them to you.
Roomie, it’s my fault for not doing a better job of keeping contact with you even though you would probably disagree. In this time of solitude, with time to think with everything closed down, it’s sad that we find ourselves in this situation where we can’t talk to each other. Ha, shame on you for making me express myself in a public forum for the whole world to see when I would rather be stoic and keep to myself. You get the last laugh on this one, even though it’s overdue, Roomie.
Sincere regards,
Matt Florez aka “Roomie”
It really hurt to find out you passed Stephen. You helped me while I was on my path to graduate. It was your kindness and compassion that pushed me forward into the next chapter of my life.
I will never forget you for as long as I shall live, Uncle.
– William