Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....DUNBAR, THOMAS ASHTON October 18, 2015
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Gina Brown rootsgirl36@gmail.com October 31, 2015, 3:14 am

News Star World - October 23, 2015
THOMAS ASHTON DUNBAR

The Reverend Doctor Thomas Ashton "Tommy" Dunbar, 68, passed away peacefully 
on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in Baton Rouge, LA.

Born on July 14, 1947, in Pineville, LA, he attended Pineville High School. 
There, he was a multi-sport athlete while simultaneously developing his love 
for the arts highlighted by his mastery of the piano. On a picturesque Friday 
night in the fall, one could see Tommy line up on both offense and defense for 
his high school football team - and at halftime, he would join the marching 
band to play the trombone.

After graduating from Pineville High School in 1965, Tommy attended Louisiana 
Tech University where he blossomed as a defensive back and also met the love 
of his life, Susan Williams Dunbar, whom he married in 1969. During college, 
Tommy received a call to the ministry which led him to earn a B.A. in English 
in 1969. After earning his Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology 
at Emory University in 1972, Tommy fulfilled his calling serving as a minister 
in the United Methodist Church while growing his young family. Tommy went on 
to earn his Doctor of Ministry from Drew University. In between his service as 
a pastor to many churches across Louisiana and Texas over his lifetime,

Tommy enjoyed running, growing roses, and being on the open water. There, he 
could be seen driving his "big boat" (favored over the smaller fishing boats 
owned by his brothers-in-law) and calling out instructions to his nieces and 
nephews while teaching them to water ski. Tommy retired from the ministry in 
2006 but was still passionate about his love of helping others giving way to 
his new found career as a financial services representative for Modern Woodmen 
of America. After a severe stroke in 2009, Tommy continued to enjoy life by 
attending Louisiana Tech football games, working out at the YMCA, and spending 
time with his four grandchildren at their various activities and at the beach 
each summer.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Susan Williams Dunbar; his two daughters, 
Kellie Dunbar Schmeeckle, M.D. (Seth) and Amy Dunbar Hester (Bryan); his four 
grandchildren, Avery Hester, Seth Andrew ("Andrew") Schmeeckle, Jr., Emery 
Hester, and Sarah Schmeeckle; and his three brothers, George Dunbar, Ashton 
Dunbar, and Travis Dunbar.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Ashton Earl Dunbar and Georgie 
Pickett Dunbar.

Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., Baton 
Rouge, on Saturday, October 24, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. followed by services at 
Noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Louisiana Tech University 
Foundation, Tommy Dunbar Memorial, P.O. Box 1190, Ruston, LA, 71273, or your 
local YMCA.

Rabenhorst Funeral Home

Baton Rouge, LA 

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/ouachita/obits/d/dunbar4594nob.txt

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