Rex Henry Dunlap was a lifelong servant of Christ. After a lifetime of running the good race and keeping the faith, Jesus called him to paradise on June 11th, 2024. He was ninety years young.
He was born in Dallas, Texas, to Archie and Gene Dunlap. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, where he excelled in track and earned the nickname "One Lap Dunlap." His athletic ability was recognized by Southern Methodist University, and they awarded him a full athletic scholarship in track. At SMU, he pursued his talent for design and quest for spiritual knowledge and graduated with a major in Interior Design and a minor in religion. After college, he enlisted in the Navy and earned the rank of LTJG. He served as a navigator for the Naval Hurricane Hunters. After his military service, he started his own interior design firm before joining Bank Building Corporation, where he was the top salesman. He ended his career as president of the company.
At twenty-seven years old, he met the love of his life at his brother's wedding and immediately declared he was going to marry her. And he was right! The two moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and started a beautiful family. Throughout his life, Rex was a well–known lover of mischief and a good story. He embodied both steadfast wisdom and youthful joy in his every breath.
However, the most important story of Rex's life began at the age of seventeen at Young Life's Silver Cliff Ranch in Colorado, where he gave his life to Christ. After that, Rex was forever changed and on fire for the gospel, which influenced all areas of his life. While in the Navy and stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, he lived out his passion for Christ by spreading the word of God in working with high school students. He started a youth group called Best Deal, which was the predecessor to Young Life in the state of Florida. He spent many hours pouring into the lives of high school students. He loved these students and kept in touch with them over the years. In addition to working with young people, he was a dedicated and active member of every church he attended. He was a devoted Sunday School teacher and Elder at Central Presbyterian Church in St Louis, Missouri. Rex continued to lead Bible studies throughout his entire life, encouraging the downtrodden and leading many to Christ along the way.
Of all the awards and accolades he received, Rex would tell you that his greatest accomplishment was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Rex is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Joan; his daughter, Paige; son Brad; daughter-in-law Kitty; and two grandchildren, Rex Bradley and Emma—as well as a large extended family that he loved and was loved by. But he is survived even more by his legacy of love and kindness, and by the passion and fervor of a man close to God's own heart. While his commanding presence, caring nature, and discipleship will be deeply missed, his impact will live on in the lives of those he touched. May all who knew him take comfort in knowing that Rex was welcomed into the kingdom with these words, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23). He will be missed by many, but we will see him again in eternity.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Young Life