James Robert Dunlap

James Robert Dunlap, 74, died Wednesday, August 18, 2021. James was born to Robert and Shirley (Chapin) Dunlap on June 27, 1947 growing up in Colman, SD. In 1970, James joined the U.S. Army as a Private 1st Class and after graduating from Morningside College attended Officer Training School, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. On March 16, 1974 James married Martha Stegen, and had two children, Michael and Jennifer. James farmed the family land, and was self-employed with tax preparation, auctioneering, farm land appraisal, and land management. On September 15, 1984, James married Shirley (Johnson) Renczykowski, and gained three children, Scott Renczykowski, Michele (Renczykowski) Pfeifle, and James Renczykowski. Through the years they resided in Windom and Worthington, MN; Sioux Falls, Crooks, and currently Renner, SD.
James had a deep faith and enjoyed serving multiple positions within their church and participating in mission trips to Guatemala. As a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Army, he served in Germany and South Korea planning logistics for units within those theaters. His work as a land appraiser allowed him to travel as far as Chile where he appraised blueberry farms and serve as the President of the South Dakota Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. In an opportunity to deepen their Faith, James and his son took a once in a lifetime trip to explore the Holy land. Although these endeavors took him around the world, he most enjoyed spending time with family, driving his two horses (Magic and Joy), researching family genealogy, snow skiing, hunting, and singing with a barbershop quartet as well as the South Dakota Symphony Chorus. He also shared his love for antique trains with his children and grandchildren, working with them on building two model train scenes when visiting.
James will be missed by many, including his wife Shirley of Renner; his sister Pamela (Jack) Welsh of San Rafael, CA; five children: Michael (Connie) Dunlap and sons Aiden and Kade of Waunakee, WI; Jennifer (John) Fiore and children Miranda and Jackson of Kalamazoo, MI; Scott Renczykowski and son Nicolas of Sioux Falls; Michele (Brad) Pfeifle and daughters Sophia and Olivia of Sioux Falls; James (Sandy) Renczykowski and children Taylor and Kelsey of Sioux Falls; niece Tami Van Genderen and children Logan and Grace; and many extended family members. James was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Shirley Dunlap. A visitation will be held at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Baltic, SD on 24 August 2021 from 5 - 7 pm. Services will be held at West Nidaros Lutheran Church in Crooks on 25 August 2021 at 10:30 CST. In addition, the service may be viewed on the West Nidaros YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIXFfQmGPKqC0CJUCKgAgDA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in James' honor to Leah's Kids (https://www.leahskids.org/donate), or the South Dakota Symphony (https://www.sdsymphony.org/support-the-sdso/).
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
James Robert Dunlap, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.