Gary Lloyd Dunlap

Gary Lloyd Dunlap was born March 18, 1949, in St. Charles, Missouri, to Lloyd Lonnie and Virginia (Bogel) Dunlap. He grew up in the St. Charles and Poplar Bluff area and graduated with the class of 1967 from Neelyville High School. Gary furthered his education with Three Rivers College and Southwest Missouri State University at Cape where he received an Associate of Arts Degree, majoring in social studies with a minor in biology. On August 21, 1970, Gary married his high school sweetheart, Carol Lee Parish and to this union they were blessed with one daughter, Sherry. Gary and Carol spent their fifty-three years of marriage creating lasting memories together. Gary loved his family above all else and his granddaughter, Jordyn, was his pride and joy. Gary began his career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol on March 1, 1970, when he started at the Academy at age twenty. He, along with sixteen members of the thirty-nineth recruit class, graduated June 9, 1970, marking the last time a recruit class would be trained at the old academy in Rolla. After graduating he was assigned to Troop I, based in Rolla. He stayed in Rolla until being transferred to Dent County, where he remained until retirement. He was promoted to sergeant July 1, 1992, and assigned zone commander of the newly created Zone 7 in Dent County. After retiring at the age of fifty-two, he was still involved in law enforcement, Salem Police Chief Clifford Jadwin recruited Gary as a volunteer reserve officer for the police department. Gary, according to the highway patrol was one of the finest shootists and weapons experts the patrol had. Two years after graduating from the academy, Gary was selected as a member of the patrol’s pistol team, which traveled throughout the United States competing in matches. He shot on both the bulls eye pistol team and the combat pistol team, shooting in the nationals at Perry Camp, Ohio, several times. He’s received several shooting awards, both statewide and nationally. Gary was an outdoor enthusiast, avid hunter, and dedicated fisherman. He enjoyed floating the Current River and Jacks Fork. He loved to travel and has been Walleye fishing in Canada, backpacking at Yellowstone National Park, and Elk hunting in Colorado. His passion for the outdoors was evident to everyone that knew him. A passion that he truly loved sharing with his family and close friends. Gary lived life to the fullest anchored by faith. Gary entered eternal rest on November 10, 2023, in Rolla, Missouri, at the age of seventy-four years. His legacy lives on in those he loved the most to include his loving wife: Carol Dunlap of Salem, MO; daughter: Sherry Althaus and husband Jeff of Nixa, MO; granddaughter: Jordyn Althaus of Des Moines, IA; as well as a host of extended family and a community of friends. Preceding him in death, parents: Lloyd and Virginia Dunlap. Gary was always ready for a good laugh, and sometimes at the expense of others. He always had a good joke to share, great story to tell, and never ran short on pranks. His contagious smile, great sense of humor and laugh will be remembered in our hearts forever. Funeral Services for Gary Lloyd Dunlap were held Saturday, November 18, 2023, in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Special speakers MSHP SGT (Retired) Steve Betts, MSHP SGT Mike Mitchell, and Pastor Barry Baugh. Many wonderful memories were shared by family and friends. Arrangements were under the direction of Wilson Mortuary of Salem, Missouri. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Gary Dunlap to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and left at Wilson Mortuary. Memorial Envelopes will be available. Online Condolences may be left at www.wilsonmortuary.com

Gary Lloyd Dunlap

March 18, 1949 - November 10, 2023