Wayne Ogburn Dunlap was born on the 31st day of October in the year of our Lord “1925” at home on the family ranch near Priddy, TX to Amos Ogburn Dunlap & Flora Mae Huggins Dunlap.
Wayne became very interested in aviation at a very young age after an airplane ride in an open cockpit plane at an annual festival gathering in Priddy, TX. At one time, Wayne owned and flew three different Piper Cub Aircraft, and still carried his private pilot’s license up until his passing.
Upon high school graduation, Wayne enlisted in the United States Army for World War II on September 25, 1944. Wayne was attached to Headquarters Company 959th Engineer Depot Base and Central Pacific Base Command. Wayne was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant . He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Wayne was discharged on May 6, 1946.
After College, Wayne joined his cousin, Daughty Dunlap, at the newly built ALCOA Plant in Point Comfort, TX for a career 33 and a half years (1949 – 1983) as a smelting power house foreman. Wayne was a member of the ALCOA’S 25 year club.
When not working, which was seldom, you could find him hunting, fishing, or hosting family and friends. Wayne was a builder and tinkerer. You could always find him in his shop, garage, boat house, on his pier, or fishing somewhere. Wayne took his family in a pickup camper and travel trailer on numerous trips throughout the entire United States. Those memories will last a lifetime.
Wayne was a lifetime member of the V.F.W., American Legion and Disabled American Veterans Organizations. Wayne also participated in the V.F.W. weekly Bingo Operation for charity.
Wayne is survived by his sons, Patrick and Michael, his daughters Sandra Carley and Joe, and Cynthia Hubert and Drew.
His grandchildren Matthew Dunlap & Aubrey, Carley Smith and Nick, Miranda Martin and Jordan, Ryan Carley and Esther, Alexandra Walters and Jakub, Samantha Carley, Evan Carley, Megan Cochran and Jake Cochran. His Great Grandchildren Luisa Dunlap, Joseph Smith, Camden Smith, Annie Smith, Nash Martin, Lochlan Martin, Tyr Carley, and Adaline Walters.
Wayne was preceded in death by his loving wife Frances Jeanne Carlson Dunlap, his infant daughter Andrea Lee Dunlap, his parents Amos and Flora Huggins Dunlap, brother Glen Dunlap, and sisters Annie Luzzader and Wilma Clampitt.
Funeral service for Wayne Dunlap, 97 of Port Lavaca, will be Friday, January 20, at 10:00 am in the Stacy-Wilkins Chapel in Goldthwaite. Interment will be at Democrat Cemetery, Democrat, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, contributions maybe made in Wayne’s memory to the:
Democrat Cemetery Association
Chairman: Gill Stevens
17201 CR 290
Zephyr, TX 76890
Arrangements are by Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home of Goldthwaite.