HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART – KIMBERLY DUNTON

When Kimberly Dunton turns 64 on February 10, her graduation from Portland High will be a few years in the rearview mirror. But right beside her since 1979 is her high school sweetheart and husband Dean. And he’s not going anywhere.

“She means so very much to me. I don’t think I’d be the person I am, were it not for her,” he says.

It isn’t just her husband that adores Kim. Three children – Jami, age 36, Samantha, age 35, and Jacob, age 29, can also attest to their mom’s “very giving, very loving, and very huge heart.” Twenty-month-old granddaughter Lakelyn echoed those same sentiments, though perhaps not in the same words. 

Family comes first for Kim. It always has.

“She has always put her kids ahead of herself,” Dean tells us. “For each one of them on every one of their birthdays, she would find a new way to celebrate.” 

She worked tirelessly to build lasting memories for her family. At times that meant renting camps for their summer vacations. If her sons had a football game, Kim would make it an event for the entire family. Or, a favorite, she would organize trips for the whole group to visit Disney World.  

Dean chuckles as he recalls one trip to Disney in particular. “I walked ahead of the group as we were leaving, and my son thought I was lost!” For a short time, there was panic. But Mom saved the day by rounding up the family, as she often does. 

When she isn’t managing the seafood department at Shaw’s, Kim might be found by the pool or at the beach. Or perhaps she’s watching movies at home, or cooking a big Sunday dinner for the family.

“She just loves spending time with little Lakelyn,” Dean says. If Kim can’t be found in any of those places, then maybe she’s in Florida visiting her son and daughter-in-law. 

Kim is known for how much she gives of herself to everyone whom she loves. “I just love her so much,” says Dean Dunton. “I wish I told her more often.”

When asked what message he’d like to deliver to Kim on her birthday, he doesn’t need a moment to think. “I love you very much, Kim, and I appreciate everything you do for all of us. 

Sounds like those high school sweethearts of more than 40 years are still going strong!