Joe Gray Dunlap

Joe Gray Dunlap, died Tuesday, December 8, 2020 in Dothan, Alabama. He leaves his wife of 65 years, Lural Lowry Dunlap; son, John Witherspoon Dunlap and Lynn of Interlachen, Florida; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Vince Edge of Dothan, Alabama; and two granddaughters, Hannah and Lowry Edge. Joe was predeceased by his daughter, Jennifer Lowry Dunlap and his brother, Herbert M. Dunlap. He was a kind and committed husband and father.

He was born March 9th, 1933 in Rockhill, South Carolina to Herbert and Annie Moore Gray Dunlap. He moved to Gainesville, Florida in the 4th grade and graduated from P.K.Yonge where he was honored as a Distinguished Graduate and a member of the Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. He attended the University of South Carolina on a basketball scholarship and finished his education at the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

After college, Joe joined the Navy and became a pilot flying S2F’s off the USS Princeton in the Pacific Ocean. He was a commercial pilot for Eastern Airlines based in Miami, Florida and Charlotte, N.C. Joe returned to Gainesville and became a partner and President of Chesnut Office Equipment Co. He cared deeply for his employees and treated their problems as his own.

Community health care and service were important to Joe. He served for over 36 years helping to establish healthcare for Florida residents as the chairman of the Board of Directors for Sante Fe Healthcare and AvMed Health Plans. He helped develop Haven Hospice and The Village with his good friends Ed Peddie and Jim Stringfellow.

Joe served as President of the Area Gainesville Chamber of Commerce in 1976 and was a part of building the First Downtown Plaza. Joe was on the Board of the Partnership for Strong Families, The United Way, First Union Bank, Downtown Redevelopment and the Airport Authority. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. As a couple, Lural and Joe spent many hours playing and enjoying tennis and bridge together.

Joe loved the Lord and was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville for 75 years. He served First Presbyterian as a Trustee and an usher for many years.

The family is grateful for the love, support and care given to Joe and Lural by Kindred Hospice of Dothan and Respite Care of First United Methodist Church of Dothan. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Respite Care at First United Methodist of Dothan, AL at 1380 West Main Street Dothan, AL 36301.

Because of Covid-19 there will be a family only Graveside Service at 2 pm EST on Saturday, December 12, 2020 in Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville, FL with Dr. Robert Shettler, a family friend, officiating.

Robert and Toni Byrd · Sunset Memorial Park

1700 Barrington Rd, Midland City AL · (334) 983-6604