Dr. Tommy Tolson Dunagan, 88, of Carbondale, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, 7 December 2019, at home surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Dunagan was an emeritus professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale known as a prolific researcher of the physiology of acanthocephalans, an excellent instructor for hundreds of students, and his service to scientific societies and his community.
Tommy was born on 17 October 1931 to William and Erna (Gordon) Dunagan in Hamilton, Texas. He graduated from the Denver City (Texas) High School and attended Tarleton State College (Stephenville, Texas) for two years. He then transferred to Texas A&M University, where he received both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Zoology. For his Master of Science degree, he studied under the direction of Dr. Sewell H. Hopkins, tasking himself to investigate the cercariae in Brazos County, Texas. He defended his thesis in 1955.
Following graduation, Tommy served his country...