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Roy Dunlap Obituary

Roy Dunlap Once in a lifetime We are privileged to know Someone whose light shines brightest Whose presence fills our space Who challenges us to be our best And we are better for having known him. Roy H. Dunlap, Jr., was born in 1929 in Long Beach, California, to Roy H. Dunlap, Sr., and Sybil May Reed. He died on February 29, 2016, in San Luis Obispo. He was part of a large extended family and spent his childhood surrounded by these loving, supportive people. He graduated from Big Bear High School in 1947 where he played basketball and eight-man football. He ran for class president but wanted to be honorable and voted for the other candidate. He lost by one vote. He went to San Bernardino College for two years and then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1949. When the Korean War broke out, he volunteered for service overseas, where he served as a staff sergeant attached to the supply squadron at Yokoto Air Base in Japan. While there, he volunteered for temporary duty with the 344th Bomb Squad, 98th Bomber Wing, where he flew thirteen B26 missions over Korea as a spare tail gunner, and was credited with shooting down a MIG, one of only 27 shot down in the war. After his discharge he settled in Duarte, married, and had three children: Shari, Steve and Rick. He had his first job at age 5 collecting scrap to help his family during the depression. He subsequently had fifty some jobs before spending his last thirty-eight working years with State Farm Insurance, first as an agent in Arcadia and then as an agency manager in West Los Angeles. There he built the most successful sales district west of the Mississippi, sometimes the entire company. He had a knack for bringing out the best in people and his agents and many others he mentored succeeded in great part because of his efforts. In addition he was involved in community service activities, coached his sons' little league teams, and attended every one of his daughter's cheerleading performances. His love for children led to his being a Big Brother in the late 1980's. In 1981 he met a brand new agent while teaching her class and often said that he was immediately smitten. He and Pam married in 1984. Together they built a life, loved and mentored their children and grandchildren, and traveled extensively. Roy retired from State Farm in 1994. Pam retired in 2001. They moved to Arroyo Grande just prior to Pam's retirement. Even though they knew no one, Pam always said there would be no worries because Roy would easily make all the friends he could, and he did. His final years were spent golfing, where he routinely placed in Rams tournaments, up to a few weeks before his death; traveling; membership in Five Cities Rams; and meeting people and making friends. He was a CASA advocate for a family in 2005; they still regard him as their grandpa; and helped Pam with her last CASA case. He was still playing golf and driving two weeks before his death. His slogan was "you have to keep moving!" He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert, and his daughter Shari Dunlap and son Rick Dunlap. He is survived and will be missed by his wife, Pam; his son, Steve Dunlap of Post Falls, Idaho; his son, Greg Johnson and wife Jeannie of Poway, Calif.; daughter-in- law, Sherry Dunlap of Ventura, Calif.; grandchildren: Tim Dunlap, Chelsea Dunlap, Shelby Dunlap, Jenny Wahl, Amanda McGugan; John, Jacob, David and Peter Loper; Sierra, Mark, Cambria and Hunter Johnson; niece, Laurie Umbriaco and nephew Robert Dunlap. In addition, he has six great- grandchildren. The family has many thanks for those who helped him, especially the last three years of his life: the Pismo Beach Dialysis staff, his many physicians, and finally, the staff and physicians at French Hospital Cardiac Care and ICU units. There will be a private funeral service in Santa Barbara followed by a Celebration of Life to be announced at a later date. The light is out The memories will linger in our hearts forever We are blessed to have loved you. Sign his guestbook at sanluisobispo.com/obituaries

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

Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune on Mar. 9, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
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Joe Fernandez

March 18, 2016

To the Dunlap Family, I am sorry for your loss. From Joe Fernandez, Retired Agency Manager and AFE. Roy was a great friend. I really enjoyed working with him.

Christmas 2007

The Wagner's

March 13, 2016

Is it enough to say Roy was a friend? Pam beautifully put it when she wrote,"Whose presence fills our space". We were blessed to share a fence for 14 years with Roy and Pam. Roy and Pam treated our son like their own family even hanging a picture of him up on their family wall. My husband and I did not make the cut :) Even my dog preferred spending time over at the Dunlap's. He lives on in our hearts. We will miss him dearly.

Pals

Jim and JoAnn Regan

March 10, 2016

We met Roy through friends during our RV trips to the Central Coast. We were immediately drawn in. His easy warmth and gentleness were captivating. I never heard a word of anger or ill will come from his lips. His heart had room for every one. We shared lunches, and dinners, and time on the golf course where Roy demonstrated his ultimate skill of putting the ball close or in from 100 yards from the green. My fondest memories of Roy are sharing long breakfasts at the Station Grill, discovering each other and our similarities. Going to miss his warmth, his smile, his hugs.

Rod Hatch

March 10, 2016

I knew Roy for over 50 years since our early days at State Farm in LA. I have had the pleasure of visiting with him monthly at the local Rams luncheons since he retired to the central coast.Even though he was under dialysis treatment the last couple years he never complained and was always positive. He was a great guy and will miss him.

Tom Wright

March 10, 2016

Roy was one-of-a-kind. We will all miss his stories and words of wisdom. He was so good to always stay in touch and a true friend. We love you Roy. Pam our prayers are with you. Tom and Judy

John Jackson

March 9, 2016

Roy, I'll never forget and will cherish forever the many fun times we shared during our 38 years of friendship. Look forward to meeting again old friend

March 9, 2016

You are missed, Roy. I will never play another round of golf with the RAMS group without thinking and missing you
Art and Barb

Don Buchanan

March 9, 2016

Knew Roy from my 35 years with State Farm. Nice Guy and lots of fun. Sorry to hear of his passing.

Lennis Cowell

March 9, 2016

We will miss you Dad. You touched our lives forever. There is no one better.

Love,
Denise & Lennis

John Turner

March 9, 2016

Roy was a great mentor to all of us at State Farm. I loved his stories and learned about the history of our great enterprise. Roy recruited great agents and his impact will be felt for generations to come. Thank you, Roy...you are missed already.

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