Lawrence E. Lyford died earlier this month at age 78 surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his parents Bob and Ellen Lyford; his older sister, Lynne; and his grandson, Johnathan.He is survived by his wife, Florence; son, Joseph; daughters, Kristina and Joanna; and nine grandchildren. He is also survived by his seven brothers and sisters; Louise, Laura, Carole, Leo, Mary Rose, Chris, and Lisa and more than 30 nieces and nephews.
CDR Lawrence Lyford was born to Ellen and Robert Lyford in 1945. Growing up in Eugene, Oregon he was the second oldest of nine children. His family enjoyed a large community of friends and extended family in the Eugene area and were active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish and school. He was a competitive runner on the track team as well as a guard on the basketball team through high school. While attending school, he held various jobs working alongside his father as an electrician’s apprentice. Following high school, Lawrence graduated from college with a degree in Engineering. During the Vietnam War Lawrence joined the US Navy. He attended Officer Candidate School and completed flight school where he received his wings and became a Navy pilot. Landing an aircraft on an aircraft carrier is considered the hardest task in aviation. During Lawrence’s service in the Navy, he completed hundreds of carrier landings both as a pilot and as a flight instructor. He received a number of Air Medals and Commendations during his Navy career. While stationed in Texas, Lawrence met and later married Florence Miller. They began their life together as a family of four with her two children, Joseph and Kristina. Florence had been widowed when her first husband, LCDR Francis W. Miller, lost his life as an aviator on a Coast Guard rescue mission. Lawrence and Florence had a daughter, Joanna, and moved closer to his family after he transitioned from full time active duty to the Naval Reserves. After serving full time in the Navy, Lawrence had several careers. They included becoming a general contractor, owning and operating a window and door business, building residential homes, becoming a high school principal for a military style charter school, and finally working for the U.S. Department of Labor in the National Headquarters of the Job Corps program. His favorite pastime was exploring this beautiful country while keeping up with his 3 children and 10 grandchildren’s events. In retirement, Lawrence and Florence found a community they treasured sharing life with at Smith Memorial Baptist Church in Williamsburg, VA. If one word could describe Lawrence it would be “friendly”. Lawrence recognized the intrinsic value of everyone he encountered in life. Lawrence cherished his family and his time with them. Lawrence will be receiving a Military Honors burial at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date to be announced. A Memorial Service was held for Lawrence at Smith Memorial Baptist Church in Williamsburg, VA on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 11:00am. Originally published by Bucktrout Funeral Home
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(Obituary published on Legacy.com by Poway Bernardo Mortuary - Poway on Jan. 23, 2024.)
Poway, CA – Dennis was born on February 26th, 1940, to William and Blanche Opal (nee Clark) Klapwyk in Missoula, MT where he was raised on the family's Cloverleaf Dairy Farm. He attended Missoula County Schools before enlisting in the US Navy in 1958. Dennis served a 20-year career with the US Navy as an avionics technician and was mostly stationed in the San Diego area at NAS Miramar and NAS North Island. Dennis was deployed with the USS Kitty Hawk during three Vietnam combat tours and served with various other aircraft carriers during multiple training tours. Following Dennis' naval retirement, he joined Northrup Grumman for a 20-year career working close with the US Navy as an avionics technician representative for the E-2 Hawkeye aircraft. His mastery and teaching of the E-2 Hawkeye weapon system and radar contributed greatly to the combat readiness of the aircraft and its crew for our country's defense. Upon retirement, he spent his time charting genealogy and challenging others in their trivia knowledge. He often regaled his family with stories of his military service and his years growing up on a dairy farm. Dennis' love of country was preceded only by his love for his family. Dennis is survived by his wife of 63 years, Annette (nee Hassell) Klapwyk; his two daughters, Susan Klapwyk of McCalla, AL and Janet Crews of Poway, CA; his three grandchildren, Trista Browning, Blayne Browning and Tyler Crews; his three great-grandchildren, Carter, Emma and Bragen; his brother, William Klapwyk (Patsy) of Hamilton, MT; a host of extended family and friends that include cousins, nieces and nephews; and his best friend, Steve Ford. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Barbara (nee Klapwyk) Chilcote, and his brother, Elmer Edward Klapwyk. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to his favorite charity, The Gary Sinise Foundation, in memory of Dennis C. Klapwyk, Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Ret., U.S.N. Military Honor Services will be held at 11:30 AM on March 1st, 2024, at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Noble Drive, San Diego, CA. Stephen Edward Behringer, more commonly known as Behr, who lived a distinguished life marked by service, a commitment to others, and a love of his family, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2023. He leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a profound impact on those who were fortunate to know him.
Born on June 29,1950 to Norman and Hope (Smith) Behringer in Lafayette, Indiana, Behr grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona and graduated from Saguaro High School in 1968. He continued his education at the United States Naval Academy, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1972. He was selected for pilot training and earned his Wings of Gold in 1974, embarking on a career as an aviator in service to his country. Throughout his distinguished naval career, Behr served as a Commander and Instructor in numerous aircraft, including the E-1B Tracer, referred to by those who flew it as the Willy Fudd, E-2C Hawkeye, T-44 Pegasus, and C-2 Greyhound. His dedication to duty, exceptional skills, and love of flying earned him the respect and admiration of his shipmates. In 1993, after over two decades of service, Behr retired from the Navy and also graduated with his Master of Business Administration. In his next career as a commercial airline pilot, he worked for Northwest Airlink, Reno Air, and American Airlines, where he retired after burning holes in the sky in the MD-80 in 2011. Behr’s service extended beyond his professional endeavors. He was a devoted volunteer, dedicating his time to Poway Kiwanis Club, Builders Club at Twin Peaks Middle School and Adult Education Auto Shop at Poway High School. He was a member of the Lake Anna Bohemians Club and Poway Beer Club. Family was most important to him. He is survived by Maren (Pfutzenreuter), his partner and wife of 46 years, his daughters Corinne Wells and Virginia Kruggel, son-in-law Matt Kruggel, four grandchildren (Jack Wells, Hank Wells, Behr Kruggel and Ruby Kruggel), three siblings (Nancy, Ken and Jim), and many friends that he considered family. A memorial service will be held at Poway Bernardo Mortuary on January 13, 2024 at 11am, followed by a celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Poway Kiwanis Club or Elizabeth Hospice in San Diego. His quick wit and quirky sense of humor were ever present. To him every day was a new adventure. His adventurous spirit, generous heart, and love of his family will be remembered as his enduring legacy. May he rest in peace, surrounded by the love of the countless lives he touched. John Bradley Gregor, 72, of Wooster, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at the Wooster Community Hospital.
Born on January 31, 1951 in Steubenville, Ohio, he was the son of the late Paul and Helen (Lenkey) Gregor. Brad graduated from Springfield High School in Amsterdam Ohio before going to the Naval Academy in Annapolis MD. Being a midshipman had been a life-long dream of his, who knew this was the career he wanted to follow since the 4th grade when he began to write his local Congressmen. His perseverance, dedication and hard work ensured his dream would become a reality. Graduating in 1973, Brad became an Aviator, flying E-2C Hawkeyes and eventually was the Commanding Officer of the VAW 113 Black Eagles. Many other positions followed including being a Carrier Navigator. His final tour was as the Defense and Naval Attaché in Madrid, Spain. After proudly serving for 30 years, he retired as a Captain in 2003. Throughout his life, Brad enjoyed running his Lionel trains, creating an amazing stamp collection, playing golf, and watching the Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland sports teams. He loved to read and learn about many subjects. Brad was also a very active member of the Wooster Country Club. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ann (Altman) Gregor; his son Ryan (Kelly) Gregor; and two brothers, Jim and Paul Gregor. A Remembrance of Brad’s life will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Wooster Country Club 1251 Oak Hill Rd. Wooster, Ohio 44691. The Society is saddened to learn that Dave Seeman (F) passed away peacefully at Asbury Nursing Facility, Solomons, Maryland on 3 October, 2023. He was 95 years old. He was predeceased by his wife Barbara and his daughter Ellen Seeman Booker. He is survived by his daughter Betsy (Steve) Rhodes, son David, son-in-law Frank Booker, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. David Bruce Seeman was born on February 24, 1928 to Eugene and Irene (Wendebaum) Seeman in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Jamaica High School in 1945 after which he attended Adelphi College before beginning his life in aviation as a Flying Midshipman in 1948. Designated a Naval Aviator in 1949 he flew F-4Us and F-9Fs in VF-14 and VF-173 followed by designation as a Navy Acceptance Test pilot at Grumman Bethpage in 1953. Dave joined Grumman in 1955 as a test pilot, graduating from USN TPS in 1956. At Grumman, he flew the famous Cat Series; Bearcats, Panthers, Cougars and Tigers, including F-11 Tiger spin tests at Patuxent and Edwards. Returning to Long Island, Dave continued his test work flying the HU-16 Albatross, G-1 and TC-4C Gulfstream, OV-1 and RV-1D Mohawks, A-6A Intruder, and the S-2 Tracker series craft. His work on the E-1 Tracer and the W2-F (E-2 aerodynamic prototype) would lead to the development of the two aircraft with which Dave would become most famously identified with – the E-2 Hawkeye and the C-2 Greyhound. After serving at Patuxent as the Grumman BIS Manager for the F-14A, E-2C and EA-6B and as the Flight Test and Deputy Program Manager for the KA-6D at Stuart, Florida, Dave returned to Bethpage as the chief test pilot for the Hawkeye and Greyhound programs. His flight test work on these two programs included first flights on the C-2A and C-2A(R). His duties included overseeing systems and airframes development, aircraft production acceptance and training of Foreign Military Aircrew. Retiring from Grumman in 1989, Dave and his wife Barbara returned to Southern Maryland, but he could not stay away from aircraft. He became a docent in the fledgling Patuxent River Naval Aircraft Museum, and was soon called back to duty as a flight test advisor for the E-2C and C-2A eight bladed propeller (NP 2000) program which had it’s first flight in 2001. During his lengthy career (9,300 hours, over 5,000 in flight test), Dave mentored numerous Grumman, Northrop Grumman, and Navy test pilots and flight test engineers. Although the C-2A(R) was retired in 2023, Dave’s legacy lives on in the newest Hawkeye, the E-2D, and the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. A Memorial Service and reception will be held at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum on Sunday, November 5th at 2 PM. William Marshall Winslow (Woody), 68, of Matthews, NC, passed away on May 22nd, 2023 surrounded by his family. Born August 28th, 1954 to Frances & Robert Winslow, Woody was one of seven children. Woody graduated from The Citadel and immediately joined the Navy. Woody was a Naval Aviator for seven years before he retired as a Lieutenant Commander. After he left the Navy, Woody was a pilot for many years for Piedmont, US Airways & American Airlines.
He was a loving husband to his wife, Cindy, for 41 years and father to his 4 girls, Katie, Annie, Laura and Maggie. Woody loved traveling around the world as a pilot and with his family. His passion for cooking came from learning different techniques throughout his travels. Some of his favorite times were spent at home with his family lounging by the pool. Woody is predeceased by his parents Fran & Bob Winslow and his sister, Laura Kershaw. He is survived by his soulmate, Cindy Winslow, four daughters and three son in laws: Katie Winslow & Ian Washington, Annie & Lance Day, Laura & Bucky Parks and Margaret Marshall Winslow. He leaves behind three beautiful grandsons, Jackson William Kimball, Carlyle Parks and Lenox Day. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 26th at 12:00pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, NC. We invite guests to wear their brightest colors or Hawaiian shirts to honor Woody. Commander James Ivan Morris, USN (Ret), 90, a long time resident of Coronado, California passed away on April 25th at the Coronado Hospital with his son Bruce Morris and Daughter-in-law, Jessica Morris by his side. James was predeceased by his wife Lorraine. He is survived by his brother Neal and sister-in-law Marcella, his children, Kirk, Jan, Bruce and Toni, his 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and many beloved friends.
James hailed from Florida. He graduated from Pensacola High School in 1949, where he went on to study at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. After Auburn, he began his career in the Navy via the Naval Aviation Cadet program in 1953. After receiving his wings in March 1955, he reported to VP-46 at North Island, Coronado where he served until October 1957. He was then transferred to VU-3 at Brown Field in San Diego and served until March 1959, when he returned to Pensacola as a flight instructor with VT-2. After his tour in Pensacola ended in August of 1961, he began two years of study at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He then reported to VAW-11, where from 1963 to 1965 he served as Officer in Charge of an AD5-W detachment aboard the USS Kearsarge. Following his tour there, he reported to VAW-13 and served there until 1967. He then began a year of study at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. In 1968 he reported to the Commander, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Eleven as Operations Officer. The following year, he began a two-year tour as Plans Officer for the Chief of Naval Air Technical Training, Memphis, Tennessee. In May 1971, he reported to VRC-50 at North Island as the Executive Officer. In December of 1972 he assumed command of Training Squadron Thirty One in Corpus Christie, Texas. In October of 1974 he transferred for the final time to Tactical Air Control Squadron One in Coronado, California, serving as the Executive Officer and retiring from the Navy after 26 years of honorable service in February 1976. In total he landed on 12 different aircraft carriers in his career. After the Navy he took helicopter lessons and was hired as a crop duster in Imperial Valley, California until June 1990. James then went on to fly air tankers conducting aerial firefighting operations, until June 1995. James had well over 10,000 hours of flight time between the Navy, crop dusting and air tankers. In 2010, James volunteered with the USS Midway Museum as an aircraft restorer for 7 years where he attained the rare membership in The Presidents Circle, contributing over 10,000 volunteer hours. This is a distinction that only a few individuals have. There will be a celebration of life for James on June 3rd. Please contact family for details. In lieu of flowers the family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider donating to the USS Midway Museum, in James’ name, an organization he felt strongly about. To make a gift in James’ memory, please make your check payable to “USS Midway Museum.” In the memo line or with an enclosed note, include “In memory of CDR James Morris” so he will get the proper recognition of your gift. You may send checks to the USS Midway Museum, ATTN: Development, 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101. Cdr. Frank J. Bush (USN-RET) passed away on January 27, 2023, at the age of 76. Born to Frank, Sr. and Barbara Bush in Berkeley, CA on 30 June 1946, he graduated from San Francisco State College in 1969. He joined the U.S. Navy in October 1969 and reported for Aviation Officer Candidate School and basic aviation training in Pensacola, Fl.
Frank had met the love of his life, Laura Mahan, when they were teenagers and they were later married as he transferred from Pensacola, Fl. to Corpus Christi, Tx. to complete his basic aviation training. Upon designation as a Naval Aviator in May 1971, his initial fleet assignment was to VAW 111 in San Diego, CA. flying the E-1B “Willy Fudd”. Frank completed two Vietnam combat cruises on the USS Oriskany. Following assignment as a Recruiting Officer in San Diego February 1975 through June 1977, he completed transition to the E-2B “Hawkeye” at RVAW 110 in San Diego. Subsequently assigned to VAW 117 from January 1978 to August 1980, he completed two more combat cruises on the USS Ranger. He was then selected and served as an instructor pilot in RVAW 110, the E-2 Hawkeye aircrew training squadron, until January 1983. From February 1983 to February 1984, he served in VAW 116 for his department head tour, completing one cruise aboard USS Kitty Hawk during which he was selected for Command at Sea. Frank attended various preparatory courses for his upcoming Commanding Officer responsibilities. In June 1984, he reported to VAW 113 as Executive Officer, then completed the tour as Commanding Officer in June 1987 having completed 2 cruises on the USS Constellation. Frank’s final U.S. Navy assignment was to the USS Constellation as assistant, then head of the Air Department until his retirement in August 1989. His military decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal (3), Air Gallantry Cross, Meritorious Unit Commendation (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4), and the National Defense Service Medal. In 1990, Frank became a commercial pilot for Northwest Airlines and flew the Boeing 727, DC-9 and 757 until his retirement in 2006. He returned to his home in Fieldbrook, CA. where he and Laura maintained a collection of horses, goats, chickens, ducks, dogs, and a large garden. He continued to feed his passion for aviation by building an experimental Vans RV-9A aircraft – a hobby project he started in November 2008 and completed in August 2013. Frank was a very active volunteer with the Fieldbrook Fire Department and was very active in the local trap and skeet club. He also enjoyed camper road trips around the southwest with Laura. Cdr. Bush is survived by his loving wife, Laura, and cherished daughter, Jessica Bush. CDR Gregory Scott Basta (Callsign Klondike) passed away on January 11, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 38 years young living with his family in Leonardtown, MD.
He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Jenn; his two boys Max and Nate; his father Ted Basta and step mother Olga Frias-Basta of Brookfield, IL; his brother Mitch Basta of Bolingbrook, IL; his brother- and sister-in-laws Josh Hager (Madison) of Lisle, IL and Jon Hager (Toni) of Greensboro, NC; and his in-laws, John and Dawn Hager of Salem, SC. He is preceded in death by his mother Susan Basta. Greg was born on April 17, 1984, in Proviso Township, IL to Thaddeus Mark Basta and the late Susan Ann (Encher) Basta. At an early age, Greg fell in love with airplanes and wanted nothing more than to be a Naval Aviator. He most certainly had the attitude and demeanor for this role in life as he was never short of self-confidence, swagger, and Old Spice Pomade (if you know, you know). Greg pursued his dream of flying by attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign under the Navy ROTC program, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Human Factors, and formally commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 2006. Following graduation, he flew (yup, pun intended) through the Navy flight syllabus and was eventually assigned to the carrier-based E-2 Hawkeye. It was no F-14 Tomcat, Greg's favorite aircraft, but nevertheless he excelled at piloting the E-2C while assigned to the VAW-120 Greyhawks and VAW-126 Seahawks and eventually the E-2D while assigned to the VX Pioneers. He wrapped his active-duty time in 2017 and proceeded to take on a new, completely foreign job that of an E-2D pilot for the government contractor KBR. Greg also transitioned to the Naval Reserves and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander during this time. In his private life, Greg was an avid Chicago Bears fan even when they stunk, which was pretty much all the time, and he absolutely loved watching the Chicago Blackhawks play, having grown up during their formidable Stanley Cup years. He was strong with the Catholic force, which he loved to employ to teach his Catholic convert (formally heathen) wife and share his love of faith with his two boys. Greg placed a large emphasis on family. He loved Jenn dearly and enjoyed making her laugh at all his ridiculous movie quotes and terrible dad jokes. His son's, Max and Nate, were his pride and joy and he loved nothing more than playing video games (and no he never let them win), helping them build model airplanes and ships, and talking shop with them about all things flying. Greg and Max could routinely be found discussing historical events as well as everything hockey. He loved cheering Max on as played hockey games and especially enjoyed Max's fierce desire to protect his teammates as a defenseman. Greg and Nate constantly enjoyed philosophical discussions about the meaning of life, Bubble Guppies, and whatever random thought rolled through Nate's head that second. He loved Nate's inquisitive spirit and his compassionate personality. Both boys were deeply loved by their father. The family will receive friends on Monday, January 23, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with Prayers officiated by Father Drew Royals at 7:00 p.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. There will be Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Reverend Ryan Braam at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, 43972 St. John's Road, Hollywood, MD 20636. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Mary's Hospice, P.O. Box 628, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. REVEILLE, REVEILLE, REVEILLE all hands on deck for the passing of Captain Steven James Dunlap, USN Retired. The son of Rodney Merrill and Helen McQuillan Dunlap, Steve died at 81 years old, peacefully at home with his family. Rod worked for the federal government so Steve’s childhood with sisters Eileen and Pamela spanned Minnesota and New Mexico, before finally settling in Alexandria, Virginia. Though its precise origin is lost to history, Rod Dunlap began a family tradition when he gave this standard response to Steve’s childhood requests: “You’ll get it some Tuesday.”
In 1964, Steve met Patricia Leigh Riley on a blind date. He was pole-axed by the tall, blue-eyed beauty with black hair. However [comma] he showed off just a bit too much and Pat thought he was obnoxious. Luckily, Steve got another shot the next night and this time he stayed cool. They fell in love on that second date and Steve spent the next ten months happy as a pig in stuff, driving from Blacksburg to Williamsburg and back at a “high rate of fuel consumption.” Steve and Pat married December 26, 1964, just days before Steve’s first tour with the U.S. Navy. Steve had graduated Virginia Polytechnic & State University into the Vietnam War draft. Either Uncle Sam was going to determine his path, or he was. He picked the Navy. After Officer Candidate School in 1965, Steve commissioned as a Lieutenant. Thus began Steve and Pat’s Navy adventure-years. They lived in Parma, Ohio, Pensacola, Florida, Brunswick, Georgia (twice), Imperial Beach, California and Simi Valley, California. Steve served two tours in Vietnam as a Naval Flight Officer for the E2 Hawkeye radar planes on the USS Coral Sea and the USS Constellation. During his first Pacific tour, Steve eagerly saved money. He was planning for some Tuesday when he’d have enough to buy that Sanyo minifridge he had spotted in Japan. Having a minifridge in his berth meant options at chow time. Fifty-seven years later, a few hours before he died, Steve’s children and grandchildren sat with him and rooted for the Hokies, drinking icy cold Miller High Life from that Sanyo fridge. Too bad the Hokies lost that day. Pop loved the champagne of beers, and that fridge has been keeping it cold since 1967. Now the heirs are wondering who will get it. In 1975, as Steve reached a decade of active-duty Navy service, Pat said, “Honey, I’m going home to Virginia with the kids, and I hope you come too.” Steve laughed and started job hunting knowing that some Tuesday he would get a great new job while keeping his flight wings in the Navy Reserve. By this time, Steve and Pat had three children: Steven, Jr., Darlin’ Daughter Tricia, and Matt. Having a third baby forced them to get creative with names. In 1976, the family left Simi Valley for Derwood, Maryland, driving cross-country in a Ford F-150 cab-over-camper. Mom and Dad rode in the cab. The kids and the dogs rode in the camper. God only knows what they were up to back there, but Mom and Dad had a fine time. Pleas of “Daaad, when are we gonna stop!!!???” always generated the same reply, “some Tuesday!” After two years in Maryland and always dreaming of getting home to Virginia some Tuesday, Steve and Pat built a home in Montclair. Pat, a daughter of Colonial Williamsburg, had her heart set on an authentic Colonial-era home. Steve always wanted what Pat wanted and for months he haunted every salvage yard in Virginia. But Steve was not about to pay asking price for anything, especially not architectural salvage. His patience paid off when four old homes nearby were slated for the wrecking ball. What a good deal! Free architectural salvage was a much better score than discounted Entenmann’s Danish from the “used bread store”. From those old houses, Steve scored a dozen five-panel doors. Throughout the chilly early spring of 1979, the family drove from Derwood to Dumfries almost every weekend so Steve could transform the old doors into beautiful, heavy wainscot for the new family room. The Dunlaps camped in the cold, unfinished, unheated house. But, hey, it was free! “Such a good deal, you can’t afford not to buy it”. Finally, after dodging the bank’s attempt to yank his 10% interest rate (that was a bargain back then), in the summer of 1979, the five Dunlaps were in fat city when they moved into 4701 Harmony Place not far from beautiful downtown Triangle. For the next eighteen years, the Dunlap home on Harmony Place served as a magnet for extended family. Pat taught school and filled the forested backyard with native trees, shrubs, and perennials. Steve commuted to Crystal City and spent a weekend every month in Norfolk, fulfilling his Reservist duties. The Dunlaps hosted countless backyard cook-outs, blue-tarp-slip-and-slide contests, badminton games, and croquet tournaments. Spitting watermelon seeds from the back-porch steps generated fierce competition. The uphill trudge home from West Beach in a wet bathing suit was a rite of passage for the Dunlap kids and their cousins. By the mid-90’s, with the kids grown and gone, Steve and Pat started eyeing their future. Once again, the Navy came along and changed the trajectory of their life. A Beltway Bandit defense contractor, Steve’s breadwinning relied on the Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye program. Having flown in the Hawkeye, Steve knew the plane, making him a highly desirable expert for his civilian employers. In 1997, Steve and Pat begrudgingly moved to Southern Maryland, following the Navy’s Hawkeye program to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. At heart a Virginian, Steve briefly contemplated telling the Navy to pound sand, but then he realized that Southern Maryland is a boating paradise. Always an optimist, Steve saw his opportunity and started lobbying Pat for a boat. It took a while, but finally some Tuesday arrived, and Steve brought a Chris Craft cruiser home to the slip in their backyard. There was only one possible name for Dad’s new toy: the Some Tuesday. Over the next twenty years, as grandchildren Annie, Joe, Hank, and Carter joined the Dunlap clan, the Some Tuesday served up countless family adventures on the waterways of Southern Maryland. In 2015, Steve and Pat moved to Brandermill Woods and Steve instantly became the go-to tech guy on campus. He helped people with newfangled iPhones, unresponsive laptops, and locked-up internet routers. Steve was a selfie beast and loved posting happy news on Facebook and Instagram. Always on call for his new neighbors, before long they elected him president of the residents’ council. Steve loved woodworking. He charmed the Brandermill Woods Foundation into expanding the craft shop and used his bargain hunting skills to score a new band saw. If you would like to honor Steve’s life and legacy, the Dunlaps ask that you donate to the Brandermill Woods Foundation and request the funds be used to support the Steven J. Dunlap Memorial Craft Shop. In addition to his many adoring fans, Steve left behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Pat Dunlap, his two sisters Eileen Ricks and Pamela Patterson, three children (Steven Dunlap Jr., Tricia Dunlap, and Matthew Dunlap), and four grandchildren (Annie Overton, Joseph Radigan, Henry “Hank” Dunlap, and Carter Dunlap). All will celebrate Steve’s fantastic life and enduring legacy at the Brandermill Woods Clubhouse. After cremation, the family will scatter Steve’s remains from the stern of Steve Jr.’s boat (the Some Tuesday) and at Tricia’s Some Tuesday farm in West Virginia. Dear Old Dad, we will miss you and honor you all the days of our life. Until some Tuesday when we are all together again. We are deeply grateful for the help and support received from everyone at Brandermill Woods, and from James River Hospice, and Jemita Bell of Care Advantage. |
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