Basil Eugene Dunlap

Basil Eugene Dunlap, age 86, passed away on Thusday, January 9, 2014 at Abilene Regional Medical Center after a long battle with cancer. Graveside funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 13 at the Burkett Cemetery Pavilion with David Wallace officiating. Interment will follow in the Burkett Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home, Coleman.


Basil was born on July 30, 1927 to Ray Columbus and Mary Virginia Taylor Dunlap in Ozona, Texas. He married Mary Ellen White on October 4, 1949 in Ozona, Texas. They lived on his family ranch 50 miles southwest of Ozona on the Pecos river for 56 years. Then in 1983, they bought a ranch between Coleman and Burkett and lived there the last 30 years of his life raising Charlois cows, his lifetime dream.


He was a member of the Burkett Church of Christ and a diligent regular on Wednesdays at the Coleman County Livestock Auction until his illness made it impossible for him to attend.


He was preceded in death by a son, Basil Ray Dunlap, his parents, one sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and B. W. Stuart, one nephew, Gregory Stuart, and one niece, Carolyn Wilson, all of Ozona, Texas.


He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary; his daughter, Bridget Dunlap, and adopted son, Ross Burdick and his family, all of Coleman, Texas.


Mary and Bridget wish to thank Dr. Anton Melnyk and his staff at the Texas Oncology Clinic in Abilene, Dr. Reynolds and all the nurses at Coleman County Medical Center, all the staff at Holiday Hill Nursing Home and Coleman Healthcare Center for all their help and encouragement during Basil's last 2 1/2 year fight with CLL Leukemia.


In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to the Burkett Church of Christ, P. O. Box 313, Burkett, Texas 76828, West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605 or Coleman County Medical Center, 310 S. Pecos Street, Coleman, Texas 76834.


Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 12, from 4:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, Coleman, Texas.


Please sign his on-line guestbook at www.livingmemorials.com.