Lee C. Dunlap, 81, went home to be with the Lord on March 1, 2019, surrounded by his wife of 59 years, Jan, family, and the men of his Special Forces A Team ODA 221.  Preceded in death by his parents, Howard H. & Tessa M. Dunlap of Casper, WY; his grandparents: CW & Maude Dunlap of Lewiston, WA & Maude Bowers and husband Scott Bowers of Neleigh, NE.  Survivors include his daughter, Zachari Ann Crews of Brandon, FL; son, Jeb S. Dunlap and his wife Jenniper of Corvallis, OR; and four grandchildren: Brittany L. Crews, USN Norfolk, VA, Blakelyn M. Kuester of Jacksonville, FL, Corey A. Jackson of Corvallis, OR and Justin S. Jackson of Corvallis, OR; his two K( companions, TobyToo & Babaneiux, and Prissy Kitty.  Lee was a graduate of Natrona County High School, Casper, WY Class of 1955, William Carey University Hattiesburg, MS finishing his undergraduate Degree in Political Science in 1972; and his Graduate Degree in Public Administration in 1974 from Central Michigan University.  His final Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Lee joined the Wyoming National Guard in 1955 and joined the Regular Army later in 1955.  He was assigned to Basic Training at Ft. Leonardwood, MO.  His assignments included Ft. Grodon, GA 1956, Camp Drake, Japan 1958, Ft. Campbell KY to the 101 ^st Airborne Division 1959 Basic Airborne School, 1960-1961 Defense Language Institute West Coast for Spanish, to Panama Jungle Warfare Center Canal Zone; 1962-1963 Vietnam with MACV in IV Corp.  Lee received his CIB and was the first soldier to be decorated with the Bronze Star Medal w/V for the Vietnam War at Ft. Campbell, KY advanced Cadre Airborne School 1963-1964; OCS 1964 54 ^th Co. OC; SF Training Group Ft. Bragg, NC with HALO Committee 1964-1966; Defense Language Institute West Coast 1966-1967 for Thai; B Co. 1 ^st SFG HALO Committee, 5 ^th SFG ODA 221Khe Sanh, VN; S3 D Co. 5 ^th SFG Can Tho VN 1967-1970; Infantry Officers Advanced Course at Ft. Benning, GA in 1970; and after his degree completion at Wm Carey University 1972; assigned to 1/27 Infantry as the S3 at Schofield Barracks, HI; and retired in 1977 a the rank of Major from Ft. Shafter, HI to civilian life.  Lee joined Western Command Ft. Shafter, HI 1980-1988; USSOCOM 1988-2001 MacDill AFB.  Watching Special Operations Command developing was a very rewarding experience he would repeat in heartbeat.  Even assisting the then fledgling Command Parachute Team was rewarding with the late CSGM Santos Matos.  He enjoyed being part of the Phantom Airborne Brigade during the Commemoration of the WWII Anniversary in Canada and jumping from an old C-47 with MG Joseph Lutz.

Lee's awards and recognitions: Bronze Star Medal with V device and 4 Oak Leaf clusters; VN Gal Cross w/Palm leaf 2 ^nd award, Ranger Tab; MUC (Nav); MSM, RVNCM w/600Dev, AM (2 ^nd and); VNSF Jump Wings, ARCOM w1st OLC; AFRM, CIB, Sr Parachute Badge, Master Halo Wings GCMDL (2 ^nd Awd); Master Parachutist Badge, VSM, NDSM, PUC.  He was picked up by Fulton Skyhook system in 1966.

Lee, along with Alfonse Solis, started the Panama Sport Parachute Club in 1961.  While at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, he continued jumping with the Ft. Ord Parachute Club and later was President of the Green Beret Sport Parachute Club at Ft. Bragg, NC.  He was involved with the Tropic Lightening Sport Parachute Club and Jump Hawaii, now Skydive Hawaii and enjoyed many years of fun demonstrating jumps around the island of Oahu.  In 1973, he was a competition judge in the Tallequa OK National Parachuting Championships.  He enjoyed competition and the ongoing training that he not only provided but that which he received through the years.  The highlight of his retirement shortly after his health bean a downward spiral, was being chosen as an Honorary Golden Knight in 2001.  He regretted that he could not have served as the CO or XO, as it would have rounded out his career as he saw it.  He treasured their friendship and camaraderie and we will be forever grateful to the US Army Parachute Team.  Lee enjoyed running, belonging to the Brandon Running Association, Bayshore Runners and Hash House Harriers.  He finished the Honolulu Marathon and many other 12K runs to include the Gasperilla in Tampa ad the Carole Kai 12K in Honolulu, HI.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 7:00pm at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, 6919 Providence Road, Riverview, with the family receiving friends for a gathering one hour prior to service, from 6:00-7:00pm