Lt. Col. Jay W. Dunlap

Lt. Col. Jay W. Dunlap, Retired, distinguished member of the Military Service for 23 years, went home to with his Lord and Savior February 13, 2009 at the age of 88. Jay was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Stella Mildred Kinser Dunlap, and is survived by sons, Joel (Debbie) Dunlap of Greensboro NC, Paul (Connie) Dunlap of Murfreesboro TN, David (Cindy) Dunlap of Morristown, TN and Daniel “Danny” (Kelly) Dunlap of Knoxville TN; grandchildren Tiffany (Erick) Branson, Jonathan, Joshua, and Noah Dunlap; and step-grandchildren Elizabeth, Paul, and SPC Lee Howerton. Jay graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he was a member of ROTC and the Golden Gloves Boxing Team champion. He entered the Army during his junior year at UT, returning at the end of WWII to earn his degrees in Agriculture and Education. During his military career, Jay served as an airplane and helicopter pilot in World War II and the Korean Conflict. An outstanding pilot of both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, his special duties included piloting aircraft for numerous top military officials, which included Sighmon Rhee, Commander of the Korean Army. After returning to Tennessee National Guard, he was personal pilot for General Warren Giles, Commander of the Tennessee National Guard 30th Armored Division. After 23 years of service to his country, Jay retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He received many awards and medals for his exemplary service throughout the years. Jay owned and operated several successful businesses in Sweetwater, as well as maintaining a dairy farm. Following WWII, he taught Veterans on the US Farm Training Program. He went on to teach the sixth grade at Brown Elementary School for 18 years, where he coached basketball and developed special science projects, including chicken hatchery and pottery instructions. Many students recall his special classes, including taking them riding in his personal Mooney airplane at Monroe County Airport. Many students have told him in later years this was the only time they had the opportunity to ride in a plane. Often former students would stop Jay around town to say how much they appreciated him as a teacher and the example he set. A devoted Christian, Jay was a member of the First Baptist Church for over 50 years, where he taught Sunday school classes of different ages and was a sponsor of the Boy Scouts. Jay was also a member of the American Legion Post of Sweetwater. A devoted son, husband and father, Jay took pride in his four sons and their families. He was a great friend and admired for his kindness, patience, generosity, and wise counsel. His later years have been devoted to the loving care and welfare of his disabled wife and best friend, Millie. The body is at Kyker Funeral Home Sweetwater where the family will receive friends Sunday, February 15, 2009 from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 PM funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM in Kyker’s Chapel with Rev. Phil Holmes and Rev. Joel Dunlap. Interment in Sweetwater Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Sweetwater, TN. Kyker Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements