Donald Edward Dunlap

Longtime Crockett County resident, Donald Edward Dunlap, passed away in his residence on his ranch west of Ozona on April 12, 2025.

Don was born November 27, 1945 in San Angelo. He grew up in Ozona and on the family ranch. After the death of W.E. Dunlap in 1972, Don took over the ranching operation that was in the Dunlap family since 1928. Most recently he raised dorper sheep.

Don was known as a voracious reader. It is said that after he read all the books in the Ozona library that held interest to him, he began to check out books from the Iraan library. Likely, one of his prized possessions was his personal collection of books that he maintained at his ranch house.

Don was highly protective of his livestock. He, as well as his deer hunters, would take every opportunity to eliminate predator threats to the sheep, especially the lambs.

Don was a do-it-yourself guy. He was very intelligent and understood how motors and machinery worked. He repaired his own vehicles and changed his own tires. He had an expansive tool inventory including a lathe, drill presse, pneumatic jack hammers with compressor and welding equipment. During his tenure on the ranch, he built over five miles of fence.

Don did not have a television on his ranch but he did listen to radio. When the weather conditions were just right, he could pick up an AM station out of Fort Worth where he enjoyed listening to talk radio.

Don was known by many as a quiet and solitary man. What some did not know was that he was a generous and giving man.