Daniel Conrad Dunlap's Obituary
Dan Dunlap, 73, of Dallas,Texas passed away on Sunday, September 25th 2016 in Richardson, Texas. Dan was born Daniel Conrad Dunlap in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11th 1943 to Frank M. Dunlap Jr., USN and Lucia Nieta Smith Dunlap of Abilene, TX. Dan grew in his formative years moving across West Texas with his family following his father’s career as a professional photographer. In Coleman, Texas as a young sprout Danny was the mascot of the Coleman High School BlueCats football and basketball teams. The family then moved on to Abilene Texas; Big Springs, and Dan finally completed his Jr. High and High School education in Midland, Texas graduating with the MHS Class of 1961. At Midland High School Danny was on the Swim Team and a member of the Bulldog Marching Band. After graduating from MHS, Danny enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving on active duty from 1961 through 1964. His WestPac deployment included sailing in the waters in the Vietnam Theatre aboard the USS Bennington CVS-20, supporting carrier naval air warfare operations. Upon completion of his Naval service, Dan returned to Texas to learn photography. While apprenticed to his father in Midland, Dan courted and married Jean Annette Collins of Midland in 1965. Dan subsequently moved to Dallas, Texas in 1971 to begin his college studies. While at North Texas State University in Denton, Dan pledged and was an active member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. During his undergraduate studies, Dan met Susan Northington in their college classes and they married in 1973. Dan was conferred his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from North Texas State University majoring in Real Estate with a minor in Finance. He then went on to work in photography in the Dallas area, winning awards for portrait studies. Dan’s warm and engaging personality provided him with a natural inclination for sales. He was a successful in both real estate and construction services sales. Dan spent most of his adult years in Dallas and was a devoted Dallas Cowboy fan attending many games over the last five decades. Dan was known as one who lived by the motto ‘Carpe Diem’. He was always up for a road trip or an adventure. He traveled across much of the U.S. He loved music, especially Blues, Motown Sound and Soul Music. He was an accomplished dancer, and he loved practical jokes. His sense of humour was infectious and he never met a stranger. Danny was a member of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. He joined and enjoyed Bible Study groups and was an avid student of the Bible. On more than one occasion Dan took in a lost soul, down and out on their luck and needing a place to stay while getting back on their feet; or befriending those in need of a helping hand and a friend. There are many who can attest to his willingness to share what he had with those that needed it. Dan lived life to the fullest and never had a dull moment in his life. He was known as the life of the party and one who would not let a day go by without making a memory or making a new friend. Dan was predeceased by both of his parents. He is survived by his daughter Tammy Wearner Franks and husband Bill of Midland, TX; daughter Danielle Thornberg Bradley and husband John of Killeen, TX; brother Doug Dunlap Sr. of Garland, TX; brother Clark Dunlap and spouse Lori of Katy, TX; sister Cindy Owens of Garland, TX; grandchildren Austin and Brooklyn Franks of Midland, great-grand-daughter Autumn Franks; and nieces and nephews Doug Dunlap Jr., Denise Dunlap, Marisa Dunlap Barrie, Elizabeth Dunlap Henry, Valerie Dunlap Ward, Walter Dunlap, John Dunlap, Douglas Keith Owens and Amy Owens Seres. The family will receive friends and relatives at the Visitation and Viewing to be held Thursday, 09/29/2016 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX. A Wake and gathering of family and friends will follow Thursday evening at 8:00 pm at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House in Frisco, TX. The internment with a grave side service will be held at the Barbee Cemetery , Edna Hill outside of Dublin, Erath County, Texas at 2:00 pm on Saturday, 10/01/2016. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted into Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243.
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