Murrell Dunlap

Murrell L. Dunlap, age 80, from Milton, Florida, passed away, Monday, November 5, 2018. Murrell was born to the late Cecil and Ruby Dunlap in White Plains, Kentucky, on January 7, 1938. At the age of 17 Murrell joined the Navy branch of our armed forces. During his tenure he served as a Commissary Officer. While Murrell was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia, he met his wife of 60 years, Myra Craddock, of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He served a total of 19 years and 1 day in the Navy, with 15 years being on sea duty. Murrell retired from the Navy in 1974 and made his home in the Allentown Community of Santa Rosa County, Florida. After retirement, he went back to school, receiving his GED and a Dietary Associates Degree from Pensacola Junior College. During his early retirement years he spent a lot of his time enjoying sports and supporting the community. He played in the men’s fast pitch softball league on Whiting Field specifically designed for retired Chiefs, where he proclaimed himself as the “Johnny Bench” of the league. He and Myra also enjoyed the pleasure of being able to support their children and grandchildren in their sporting adventures. Whether it was coaching on the sidelines, coaching in the yard, or cheering from the stands, he loved being involved in their sporting endeavors. Even in his later retirement years he was able to see his granddaughter, Autumn, place softball at Pace High School, where Murrell and Myra were affectionally known by the team as Mamaw and Papaw. One thing was certain about Murrell, he showed up. He never met a stranger because after a ten minute conversation with him he would know your entire life story or you would know his. He loved working in the yard and getting his hands dirty. He loved to cook. When he cooked he especially loved to leave a big mess just for the girls to clean up. In addition to sports, cooking and working in the yard Murrell enjoyed going junking at local yard sales and for a time he ran a booth at a local flee market. He loved to go to a Chinese buffet when cooking wasn’t an option and be prepared for a coupon or two to appear when you did go eat with him. He loved his little furry buddy, Nando, and he unapologetically loved his family. He was preceded in death by his son, Tony Dunlap; brother, Cecil “Uncle Pap” Wilson; brother, Joe Dunlap; brother, Charles Dunlap; sister, Lena Dunlap; sister, Marilyn Stackhouse. Murrell was survived by his wife, Myra, of Milton, Florida; daughter, Roxanne and husband Johnny Dozier of Milton, Florida; son, Curtis and wife Tiffany Dunlap of Orlando, Florida; daughter, Vera and husband David Murphy of Milton, Florida; son, Daniel and wife Danielle Dunlap of Pace, Florida; granddaughter, Bobbie and husband Jeremy Shiver; grandson, J.C. Dozier; grandson, Jesse and wife Jillian Jernigan and children Bayleigh, Lylah and Tara; granddaughter, Taylor Scroggins and her son Mason; grandson, Jeffrey Ranson; granddaughter, Autum Dunlap; grandson, Logan Gedeon; grandson, Seth Dunlap; granddaughter, Cassidy Dunlap; brother, Estel Dunlap and wife Anne of Crofton, Kentucky. He also leaves behind his special four legged friend, Nando; and a host of other family and friends to include two lifelong friends that he met early in his military career, Dr. Bob Ware, and Tom Kirk and his wife Ogee. Memorial Services for Murrell L. Dunlap will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, November 8, 2018, at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton Chapel, with Rev. Jesse Jernigan and Rev. Jim Liberacki officiating; followed by Military Honors. The family will receive friends 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you give a memorial donation, in Murrell’s name, to your favorite charity. The Dunlap family would like to hear your favorite memories with Murrell. Please share condolences, stories, photos, memories, etc. with us on the Lewis Funeral Home website by clicking “Memories” on the left-side menu bar on Murrell’s webpage. We appreciate you sharing with us so very much.