Dorothy (Dot) L. Dunlap

Dorothy (Dot) L. Dunlap

September 7, 1932 — February 13, 2019

Dorothy (Dot) L. Dunlap, 86, of Kingsland passed away Feb. 13, 2019. Born to Dewey George and Ola Bell (Huff) Franklin on Sept. 7, 1932, in Gladewater, Texas, Dot, or Dottie as she was often known, began lighting rooms like the sun, gathering family and friends into her orbit with her wide smile, bright eyes, amazing energy, love of music and gracefully gliding or jumping over the wakes of Lake LBJ on her water skis.

A born entertainer, Dot quickly turned to her piano, roller skates and love of life to steal the heart of James (Jim) Dunlap at a roller rink in Big Sandy. They jitterbugged across all local skating rinks until they married On July 19, 1950 and moved to the oil fields of West Texas to work for a large oil company before settling into their home in Pasadena. They started their family and opened an automotive repair shop in Pasadena. While Jim expertly repaired autos, Dot masterfully kept the books and greeted customers with a wide smile and homemade cookies while so successfully fulfilling her role as the mother of two daughters.

After relocating to Kingsland and opening another highly respected automotive repair shop, Dot began gathering even more friends into her orbit as she used her passion for music and piano to inspire, entertain and comfort those at numerous churches, nursing homes and many other venues throughout the Lake LBJ area. She also played with the Klunkers, who entertained a variety of audiences with Dot at the keyboard and others banging pots and pans, scratching washboards and blowing into kazoos. Tiny, but still powerful, Dot illustrated her strength by chasing a wayward contractor away from her home using a live snake.

For many years, Dot also continued her tradition to celebrate the New Year by skiing up and down Lake LBJ on one ski while smiling, waving and shouting Happy New Year no matter the temperature. She also tirelessly volunteered to help family, friends and strangers in times of need and tragedies. We will all miss the rays of sunshine and kindness she shared in her role as a friend, wife and mother.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years James (Jim) Dunlap. She is survived by her daughters, Deborah L. Dunlap and Elizabeth Dunlap, both of Austin and Raymond Pope of Kingsland who she considered her son and called who her every day after Jim died.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. March 9 at Sandy Mountain Fellowship Church, 567 Sandy Mountain Drive, Sunrise Beach, Texas. Time of service pending.

In honor of Dot's legacy, memorial contributions may be made to Sandy Mountain Fellowship Church, 567 Sandy Mountain Drive, Sunrise Beach, TX 78643 or Living Love Animal Rescue, PO Box 1266, Marble Falls, TX 78654.

Dot’s care entrusted to Putnam Funeral Home and Crematory, 145 Texas Avenue, Kingsland. An online guest registry may be signed at PutnamCares.com.