Larry Lee Dunlap, 89, made his final landing September 2, 2026, keeping it straight and level after a nine-year mission battling Alzheimer’s disease. As his memory faded, his kindness and wit charmed everyone lucky enough to spend time in his orbit.

A true Kansan, Larry was born in Clay Center, KS, on March 12, 1937, to Perry and Marie Dunlap. He graduated from Salina High School in 1955 and headed to the University of Kansas, where he joined the Delta Chi fraternity.

While at KU, Larry met his favorite Jayhawk, Catherine (Cathy) Nieder. He received a B.S. in Industrial Management in 1959 and Cathy’s hand in marriage the following year, proving his dear friend Stewart Horejsi wrong when he’d told Larry that “he didn’t stand a chance” of winning her over. Cathy remained Larry’s north star throughout their 66 years of marriage.

Larry joined the U.S. Air Force in 1959, earning the rank of Captain and flying the KC-135 for many mid-air refueling missions. In 1965 Larry and Cathy moved to Salina, where, together with his family, he opened, co-owned and operated Salina Auto Parts for nearly 40 years.

Larry and Cathy welcomed daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) shortly after moving back and son David a few years later. Betsy and David looked up to Larry’s integrity, work ethic, calm demeanor, subtle humor, and devotion to his family throughout their lives, both at Salina Auto Parts and at home around the dinner table.

A highly involved member of the community, Larry served as both a board member and president/chair of the Salina Salvation Army, Salina Downtown Inc., Salina Rotary Club, Salina Chamber of Commerce, St. John’s Hospital, and St. John’s Military School.

Larry also had the joy of spending time with his grandchildren, all of whom carry on his kindness and wit and love of the Jayhawks.

Larry leaves behind so many who loved him including his wife, Cathy; son, David (Julie); grandchildren, Eleanor Zhukenova (Sarah), Amelia (Ellis Morgan), Luke (Maleena Hatfield), and Caroline Dunlap (Kai Zimmerman); chosen family, Gary Schmidt and Diana Kleidosty (Joe); sister, Donna Poort; brother, Evans Dunlap (Jackie); niece, Chris Johnson (Randy); and many more branches on his family tree.

Waiting for Larry upon his landing were his parents; daughter, Betsy; sister, Joy Gawith; brothers-in-law, Al Gawith, Steve Poort, and Paul Nieder; and many old friends, including members of his former golf group affectionately known as the Dream Team.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 9th at Ryan Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, September 10th at First United Methodist Church in Salina, with a reception to follow at Salina Country Club and a private burial at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church or the Salvation Army of Salina, KS.

Above all, we hope you’ll greet a stranger with a smile and a “Howdy” in honor of Larry today.