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Franklin E "Frank" Dunlap

1933 - 2016

Franklin E "Frank" Dunlap obituary, 1933-2016, Farmington, NM

BORN

1933

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Alternative Choice Funeral & Cremation - Farmington

804 N. Dustin

Farmington, New Mexico

Franklin Dunlap Obituary

Franklin ""Frank"" Easter Dunlap, 82, of Farmington, passed away at home on Friday, March 25, 2016, surrounded by his beloved family. He was born April 14, 1933, in Ralls, Texas, to W.R. and Blanche (Easter) Dunlap. He graduated from Ralls High School and earned his bachelor's degree in education at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.
Frank was a colorful, outgoing, talented, complicated and sentimental man, an award-winning boxer and boxing coach, actor, educator and "medicine man." He learned to box in college and won both state and regional Golden Gloves championships in the late 1950s. He began his teaching career in 1959 in Big Spring, Texas, where he taught distributive education. A year later, he accepted a teaching position in Pagosa Springs, Colo., where he met his wife of 54 years, Lala Archuleta. They married on April 9, 1961, and had two children, a daughter, Luann, and a son, Andrew. An adventurer at heart, Frank heard the call of the North Country and moved to Alaska in 1961. He served as a school principal and teacher in the communities of Soldotna and Tyonek from 1961-1969. In addition to Frank's work as a teacher and principal in the remote Native American community of Tyonek, he also served as the village doctor for several years, providing medical care and health education to the residents. He was very proud of his service and was well loved by the residents, many of whom he maintained contact with until his last days. In 1972, the family moved to Plainview, Texas, where Frank worked for Bell Dairy and Frito-Lay. He founded a Golden Gloves boxing club for youth in 1974 and led the club to 36 championships between 1974 and 1979. Along with his work in Tyonek, Frank considered this his greatest accomplishment. He and Lala moved to Farmington in 1988. He ran a property clean-up service for five years and drove a school bus before retiring in 2008. Frank enjoyed playing golf and won a senior tournament at Civitan Golf Course several years ago. He often said he missed his calling to be either a professional coach or a lumberjack, as he loved to cut firewood in his later years. In 2010, he wrote and published a book about his experience, "How a Teacher from the Southwest Became an Alaska Medicine Man." Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Roy; and his sisters, Willie Ruth, Marie and Mary. He is survived by his wife, Lala of Farmington; sons, Rusty Hood of Oak Harbor, Wash., and Andrew of Farmington; daughter, Luann of Lubbock, Texas; granddaughters, Shelby Dunlap of Oakland, Calif., Annie Stafford of Austin, Texas, and McKenzie Dunlap of Farmington. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church, 808 N. Monterey in Farmington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all concerned send flowers to a loved one to celebrate life. Frank's care is entrusted to Alternative Choice Burial and Cremation, 804 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington, 505-325-9611. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at serenityandcompany.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Farmington Daily Times from Mar. 30 to Apr. 6, 2016.

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2 Entries

Sarah Allen

April 14, 2016

My deepest sympathy Lala to you and your family.. He wS an awesome teacher and person. God Bless

Loretta Lynch-Parks

April 5, 2016

How well I remember Mr. Dunlap when he taught in Pagosa Springs, CO. He was a wonderful teacher w/a vibrant smile that is still evident in this photo. Prayers are sent out to Lala & his family. God Bless. He will be missed.

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Memorial Events
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Apr

9

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

First United Methodist Church

808 N. Monterey, Farmington, NM

Funeral services provided by:

Alternative Choice Funeral & Cremation - Farmington

804 N. Dustin, Farmington, NM 87401

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