Paul Oran Dunlap, II
May 4, 1942 ~ May 27, 2014
After a valiant fight with cancer, Paul Oran Dunlap II passed away at the age of 72 on May 27, 2014 at his home in New Braunfels Texas.
Paul was born in Harlingen, Texas on May 4, 1942 to Paul and Eunice McCord Dunlap. He graduated from San Benito High School in 1961. After moving to New Braunfels with his family and attending one year at SWT, he decided to enlist in the Navy. During his time in the Navy, he sought out opportunities not only to lead Bible Studies onboard ship, but to minister in churches with his musical talents. While leading music in Portsmouth, Virginia, he met and fell in love with Ruth Ardis Kissinger when her father, William Kissinger, was called as Pastor. After a long courtship and engagement due to his Naval service, they were married on December 29, 1969 in Portsmouth.
It was while serving at Zuni Baptist Church that he sensed a call to Christian leadership. After receiving his B.A. in History from Old Dominion University in 1977, he packed up his young family and moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he earned his Master's in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
During his years in ministry he served at First Baptist Church Floresville, FBC Hondo, Second Baptist Church New Braunfels, and FBC Canyon Lake impacting men, women and children for God's glory through the gospel ministry in the mighty name of Jesus.
He was always finding a way to minister to others through music, and he saw his family as a primary extension of that calling. Together they began a River Walk Christmas Caroling ministry where friends and family were invited to sing and celebrate the prophetic birth of Jesus the Messiah. As recently as this past Christmas 2013, with grandchildren in tow and in the throes of cancer treatment, he was still eager and excited to make each stop along the San Antonio River Walk.
Paul is survived by his loving wife and encouraging companion in life, Ruth Ardis Kissinger Dunlap and his three children and their families, Paul & Christiana Dunlap, Honorio & Suzanna Dunlap Velasquez and Joseph Dunlap. Paul's surviving brothers and sister and their spouses are John & Debbie Dunlap, Roger & Donna Dunlap White and Clark & Marney Dunlap.
He was extremely proud of his grandchildren and loved to spend time with and give sweets to them all: Julia Dunlap, Anna Velasquez, Audrey Velasquez, Joshua Dunlap, David Dunlap, Asher Velasquez, Daniel Dunlap and Derrick Dunlap. He loves you all!
The family invites you to celebrate Paul's life with them on Friday, May 30, at 1:00 pm at First Baptist Church in New Braunfels.
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Praying that God gives the family peace at this difficult time.
Dear John, Donna, Clark & family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your brother, Paul. Please know that all of you and your families will be in my prayers. Faith and love will help you all through this difficult time. Your family is so dear to me and I have wonderful memories of your family and home on Merriweather Street. My love to you all. Patty
My Uncle was an amazing man! He led his family with faith and protected those he loved dearly. To my Aunt Ruth, and Cousins Suzanna, Paul, and Joey: I love you all dearly and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. I have peace in knowing that Paul is rejoicing with Granna and Paul! They are reunited after many years. What a blessing that is! Love to you all
Sincerest condolences to all the families associated with this amazing man. Rely on the faith that he so clearly embraced. He has gone to claim the place God promised him in heaven. We will meet again.
I remember singing with Paul and Ruth at Tucker Swamp Baptist Church in the 1970s. I always appreciate the beautiful music he and the family made. We learned a lot of gospel songs when he was choir director and still remember them! Thanks be to God for the faithfulness, strength, an loyalty Paul displayed. He will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Wonderful Spirit-filled memorial service today. In my remembrance talk, I failed to mention how much Paul loved his country, the USA, and how appropriate it was for his passing to have been during MEMORIAL DAY week. Paul, you are Home and you are Free! I love you.
My earliest memory of Paul Oran is somewhere in the 1940s, maybe 1945. He and his parents were visiting us and my mother had given us a cardboard picture to play with. I complained that Paul was “tearing” the picture. It was a paper jigsaw puzzle and obviously a first for me and my sister. Paul was surprised by my outcry but showed us how to put it together once he had taken it apart. Some 70 years later, Paul was helping me online improve the appearance of old family photos. He had a keen understanding of Photoshop and did some amazing work. His interest in history, especially naval and family histories, made for great online correspondence in the past year. I’ll miss his comments and contributions of family stories past and present. Family and friends are his legacy.
My sincere condolences to all family. I pray that your love of Jesus will console your grieving hearts and you feel his loving arms holding and comforting you.
My deepest condolences to the families during this difficult time. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you!
Sorry to learn of Paul’s death. We lived at Canyon Lake and I also worked at the BSU and Rut h took my place. I now live in Tenn. David passed away Dec. 3. 2010 and I moved here since Mike lives here. Prayers for your family.
We were so sad to learn of Paul’s death. He was such a special person and impacted our lives. I so enjoyed the celebration of his life posted on Facebook. It brought back many memories.
I have just learned of Paul’s death. I am so sorry for your loss of such a good man, husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Please know my prayers are for God’s comfort for all of you.
Dear Ruth, I am praying for all of you. It was always so good to see his joy for Jesus in his smile. Love to all of you. Steve and Terry Owen
Dear Ruth, I am praying for all of you. It was always so good to see his joy for Jesus in his smile. Love to all of you. Steve and Terry Owen