Thomas Franklin Dunlap, 72, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 9, 2015 in Virginia Beach, VA. Born on February 22, 1943 in Windrock, TN, he was the son of the late Alvin Dunlap and Viola Roberts Dunlap. Thomas was a retired veteran of the U. S. Navy where he competed for the Navy on their Softball Team. After his military service, he served as the pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Elizabeth City, NC for 11 years. Thomas most recently worked in Personnel Security for Naval Supply Center in Norfolk, VA, and was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, VA. An incredible sportsman, he was highly sought after by local business softball teams as a remarkable utility player and for his prowess at the plate.Thomas will be remembered for his smile, his love and service to the Lord, and the many lives he touched in his coaching ministry.
He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Judith C. Dunlap of Virginia Beach, VA; two daughters, Angela Hiley Dunlap Smith of Norfolk, VA, Kimberly Bell and her husband, Tim of Gainesville, GA; two sisters, Delores Patterson of Coalfield, TN, Theresa Harris and her husband residing in Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Corey Bell and his wife, Allison of Redlick, IN, Gabriel Bell and his wife, Rissa of Jacksonville, NC, Shelby Smith of Norfolk, VA, Shyla Smith of Virginia Beach, VA, Thomas Bell of Gainesville, GA, Zaire Smith of Virginia Beach, VA, Robin Bell of Gainesville, GA; two great-grandchildren, Yahontise Smith and Christopher Williams; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Thomas is predeceased by his sister, Kelly Jean Dunlap and his brother, J. D. Dunlap.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 717 Whitehurst Landing Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23464. A Funeral Service will follow the visitation at 3:00 pm. Interment will be held on April 13, 2015 at 10:00 am at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk.
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Thank you, AME1 Thomas F. Dunlap USN (Ret.), for your service to our country.
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It was and honor to have known Bro Tom and he was such a sweet and kind man and was always smiling right till the end. We will miss him but look forward to seeing him again one day in glory!
Tom will be missed. We have fond memories of our time with Ton and Judith in Rota, Spain when we were all “young”. We know we’ll see him again someday in Heaven, he just has a head start on us.
Sending prayers and love to your family, sorry to hear about brother Tom, Praise the LORD he is NOW PERFECT and with his SAVIOUR IN GLORY!!!! Sorry we can’t attend his service on Sunday, we have moved to Florida just a week ago, however we will continue to hold you and the family up in prayer for GOD’S Comfort and Peace.
Love,
Bill & Jean Downing
It was my privilege to have known Coach Dunlap for ~30 years. He was my coach for several years of little league. While he was a great coach and taught many of us how to play the game, he was more concerned with instructing us on how to be Godly young men. I look forward to seeing him again in the presence of the Father. My prayers are for peace for his family.
Teresa…so sorry to hear this news…my thoughts and prayers are with you…
These last few weeks have been difficult for all of the family. I believe, though, that the last two days were the most precious. I am so thankful for the priviledge of being part of the lives of Kim and Tim and watching them as they loved on Judith and Tom during the preparation for his home-going. I know without a doubt that Tom felt the love and devotion of his loved ones. Because of their dependence on the Lord, they were able to give Tom the love and attention that let him leave in peace.
Sorry for your loss.i know this is a hard time.Praying for the family.
Tim and Kim,
We love y’all and are praying for you and the family during this time of great loss and suffering. Praise God we know your dad is rejoicing at the feet of our Lord and Savior. We are trusting that the Comforter will bring peace and strength as you walk thru this valley.
Brother Tom blessed the lives of so many people and will be greatly missed by many. We realize that Heaven is sweeter for you than it was yesterday and know that you are hurting emotionally, but we also realize that because of Jesus we will all be reunited soon. You are all in our prayers. Love, Chris & Junior
Was talking with Jim Dewar yesterday about Brother Tom’s graduation. So many of our old softball team have crossed over. Sonny Adams, Johnny Sheehan, Bernie Posadas and now Tom. I always remember his love for the Lord and his smile. Tom could light up a room! And he always had a word of encouragement when needed. Looking forward to that “Meeting in the Air” when we’ll all be reunited to praise our Saviour! God Bless you Judith and family.
We are so sorry for your loss and our hearts go out to the entire family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
What a wonderful man of God. Tom Dunlap loved the Lord and was always a blessing to be around. He was one of our pastors when he pastored in Elizabeth City. We are in VA right now, just arrived last night late. We have a meeting out of town on Sunday so we won’t be able to make the funeral. We love you all and the family. Take care and God bless you during this time of grief.
We loved Tommy. He was a very important part of Bill’s life when they were growing up together. Even after we started dating and became engaged, Tommy was still looking out for Bill. We both believe he was heaven sent to make a difference in Bill’s young life. Bill was the oldest child in his family, but Tommy was his big brother. Tommy was a precious man and today our hearts are filled with joy for him, but at the same time grieving losing him. Today I keep remembering Tommy’s robust laugh. All who know Jesus will hear that laugh again. Hallelujah, We are so thankful for that promise. Our hearts go out to Judith, their daughters, grandkids, Delores, Theresa, all other family members and everyone else he loved and held dear. You are all in our prayers. May you be comforted by our precious Jesus. We are sending love from Tennessee.
It sadden my heart for you all in hearing about the illness and passing of Mr. Dunlap. There are never any words that can ease the passing the passing of a parent my Mom always said. I will be praying for you all. All my love.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Tom will be greatly missed. His beautiful smile and spirit of love enlightened our spirit each time we were in his presence. May God’s love and faithfulness comfort and strengthen you all at this precious time. We love you.