T. J. Dunlap, U.S. Army

Lt. Col. T. J. Dunlap, a career military officer, was born in Red Oak, Oklahoma, October 15, 1916. He died in Bonham, Texas, December 7, 2000 after a full and productive life of 84 years. Known to his friends as Jim, he served his beloved country nearly 30 years, spanning two major American wars and participating actively in both. He is affectionately and respectfully remembered by his loving wife Dorothy of 61 years, his two sons, their wives, three grandchildren, and one great granddaughter, all of whom meant the world to him.

He entered the army a second lieutenant after graduation from Oklahoma A&M College in 1939. His first assignment was Ft. Huachuca, Arizona where he led a company of infantrymen being prepared for overseas war duty. The call of the Army Air Corps was too much for him, however, as he watched planes soaring and beckoning to him from above. He was quickly accepted into the Corps, and, following flight school, was deployed to the Pacific to pilot cargo aircraft, moving munitions, supplies, and men around the combat theater. Missions were particularly dangerous as he flew with no fighter protection, sole defense being his 45 caliber Colt which he could stick out the cockpit window if need be. Fortunately for him and his crew, it was never necessary. One of his many vivid recollections was being attacked on the ground by a Kamikaze intent on taking out a whole squadron of C47's parked by an Okinawa landing strip. The bomb failed to explode, however. Only the Kamikaze pilot was killed in vain.

Again he was called for duty, in Korea, piloting cargo aircraft in that endeavor. The following years found him serving in the cold war in which he continually moved Atomic arsenal from one location to another, keeping Russian intelligence off guard and guessing. After several years teaching air science ROTC at Texas A&M University, he was assigned duty in Europe, flying his favorite C130 turboprop. There, his missions included the Middle East and turbulent Africa, where uprisings threatened many civilians. Landing on short grass strips, he liberated missionaries. After quickly scooping up escaping passengers, he made a full throttle getaway as whizzing spears hurled by crazed, screaming natives bounced off the canopy. He also flew many relief missions into Berlin, dropping food and supplies to citizens restrained by the Iron Curtain. It was important to hold a steady course on narrow air lanes to avoid being shot down by MIG fighters continuously harassing the relief stream.

Peacetime years found him commanding the transportation squadron at Pease AFB in New Hampshire, where winters were difficult for a southern raised boy. Upon retirement, he returned to the South, settling in Dallas where he began a second career in industry. After another 15 years, he retired again… almost. A man filled with work ethic could not go peacefully. He found another job and worked several years more before retiring a third time and finally.

He was a Christian from childhood, which had tremendous impact on his sons and their children. He was a member of First Baptist, Dallas from the mid 1960's where he attended Sunday school regularly and had many friends. He is missed sorely and remembered by all with the highest respect and admiration.