Joe R. Dunmire

Joe R. Dunmire (July 12, 1902 – September 12, 1977) was an American educator, recreation administrator, and politician from South Dakota. He taught and coached for many years at Lead High School and later served as recreation director for the Homestake Mining Company. In politics, he was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1952, became House Republican floor leader and chaired the House State Affairs Committee, and was elected to the South Dakota Senate in 1968.

Joe R. Dunmire was born on July 12, 1902, in Clark County, Idaho.^[1] His father, George Dunmire, was a long-time member of the local school board, and his grandfather served as a county commissioner.^[1][2] When he was two, his family moved to Scotland, South Dakota,^[3] where he grew up.^[4] He graduated from high school in 1918 and from Yankton College in 1922.^[3]

After college, Dunmire worked as a teacher and coach. He held posts in Parker and in Brush, Colorado, and later spent many years at Lead High School; he said his teaching interest was in mathematics and science and noted coaching successful basketball teams, including a state runner-up.^[4] He married Ruth Breeding in 1924.^[3] After additional teaching and coaching in Parker and in Brush—where he coached football, track and basketball—he moved to Lead, South Dakota, in 1927 to become head coach at Lead High School, and he thereafter lived in Lawrence County.^[3][5] In 1948 he became recreation director for the Homestake Mining Company, where he oversaw community recreational facilities and athletic leagues; he also participated in civic organizations such as Kiwanis and the local chamber of commerce.^[5][4] He retired as recreation director for the Homestake Mining Company effective 1 August 1967, after nearly 20 years in the post.^[6]

Dunmire said he had not originally planned a political career, but agreed to run for the state legislature in 1952 after friends urged him to do so.^[4] He was first elected in 1952 and thereafter represented his district in the South Dakota House of Representatives.^[5] Over five consecutive sessions he chaired the House State Affairs Committee and served on committees including taxation, game and parks, motor vehicles, public health and welfare, education, and state development; in 1961 he was chosen as the House Republican floor leader.^[5] In 1966 he was appointed to a conference committee when a property-tax relief measure stalled between the two chambers, and he helped craft a compromise version that could be voted on and ultimately passed.^[5]

In 1968, Dunmire announced that he would seek the district 27 seat in the South Dakota Senate.^[7] The seat was open due to the retirement of Alfred D. Roesler of Deadwood.^[5] His campaign slogan was "Cast your ballot for Ability! Experience! Integrity!"^[8] In the Republican primary he defeated Glen D. Spiers,^[9] and he later defeated the Democratic nominee in the general election.^[10] In 1972 Dunmire announced his retirement, and state representative James B. Dunn entered the race for the seat he was vacating.^[11]

Dunmire was married and had two daughters and nine grandchildren.^[5] His daughters lived in Whitewood, South Dakota, and San Lorenzo, California.^[3] He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and belonged to Kiwanis and several Masonic and Shrine organizations, including Golden Star Lodge No. 9, Dakota Chapter 3 R.A.M., Dakota Commandery No. 1, and the Naja Shrine Temple.^[3]

Dunmire died on September 12, 1977, at St. Joseph's Nursing Home in Deadwood, South Dakota.^[3] Funeral services were scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church in Lead, with burial in the Masonic section of West Lead Cemetery; arrangements were handled by Fidler Funeral Chapel.^[3]