Kenneth R. Dunlap

On January 7, 2025, after 102 years of living a wonderful life, we lost another special person from the Greatest Generation. Ken died at his home surrounded by loved ones. He was born November 2, 1922 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Claude and Effie Dunlap. He had a spirit for adventure, and the heart of a warrior. He grew up wandering the banks of the Kalamazoo River often sneaking into the back door of the local dance hall on Jo-Lo Island.

He attended Comstock High School where he distinguished himself as an exceptional athlete. He earned an impressive 16 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a member of the Bi-River Valley Championship football team in 1941. During that 1941 season, he was a Class C Alternate All State RB, the Conference MVP and the Team Captain. During his basketball career, he was part of the 1941 conference championship team and was their captain. During his baseball career, he was part of the 1941 conference championship team and finished the season with a batting average above .350. After high school, Ken was a Kalamazoo City League All Star catcher and had the opportunity to participate in an exhibition game vs. the Detroit Tigers. His athletic prowess led to his induction into the Comstock Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. 

He served his country in WW2 in the South Pacific theater, stationed in New Caledonia in chemical warfare. He and his crew worked to keep the mosquito population under control for the nurses and doctors at 2 hospital bases. Following discharge from the army he married the love of his life Evelyn (Sparks) Dunlap on September 13, 1946. They bought a 10-acre apple orchard on “The Hill”, less than a mile from where he grew up. He built his home while working as a union carpenter and recently received his 75-year membership pin, a testament to his dedication and longevity in his profession.

He was well known in the area for his delicious apples and apple cider which he sold in local stores. When Ken was 72 years old, the Hickory Ridge golf course was built adjacent to his property. Learning and mastering the game was easy for him. He had a hole in one within a couple of years of taking up the sport. Every day, he walked his property, collecting golf balls and marveling at how bad the other golfers were.

Ken was known for his adventurous spirit, kind heart, and strong work ethic. He instilled in his children the importance of hard work, honesty, perseverance, charity, and allegiance to God and country. His experiences during the Great Depression shaped his lifelong commitment to helping others, such as seeing his mother providing hot meals to travelers walking from Detroit to Kalamazoo or Chicago.

Surviving Ken are his children, Ronald (Eleanor) Dunlap of Vero Beach, FL, Becky Carlson of Grand Haven, Robin (Randall) Niedz of Vero Beach, FL; 3 grandchildren, Jennifer, Mike (Kim), and Ryan; 3 great grandchildren; Alison, Jared and Katie; sisters-in-law Patricia Sparks and Mildred Peterson; several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by brothers Curt and Don and sisters Helen Dunlap and Dorothy Adams. The family will gather on Saturday for a private viewing. A private family committal will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg. The family is planning a “Celebration of Life” during the month of May, date, and time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Ken's honor to Animals’ Best Friend Fund Incorporated.