Doris Smith Dunlap

Doris S. Dunlap, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, community leader and retired business executive, passed away peacefully on October 27 th, 2025 after a courageous three-year battle with ALS. She was 75.

Born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, Doris also spent part of her childhood in Panama City. She graduated from Leon High School in Tallahassee in 1968 and pursued higher education at Pensacola Junior College and Tallahassee Community College. She furthered her leadership development through the Executive Development Program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School and the Executive Leadership Program with Knight Ridder, Inc.

Doris built an accomplished and inspiring career in business and leadership. She served as Personnel Officer at First Florida Bank, Executive Administrator at the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Personnel Director at The Wayne Coloney Company, and Human Resources Director at The Tallahassee Democrat. She later rose to become Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Tallahassee Democrat. Doris also led special projects for Knight Ridder, Inc., including nationwide initiatives on team building, re-engineering sales strategies, and implementing new advertising technologies. For her leadership and vision, she was honored with the Knight Ridder, Inc. Excellence Award.

Her professional distinction was matched by her dedication to community service. Doris was the first woman to serve as Chair of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She also served on the boards of the Tallahassee Urban League, YMCA, Holy Comforter Episcopal School, Capital Rotary Club, and the Governor’s special committee on Health Care Initiatives. A founding member and President of the North Florida Personnel Association—now Big Bend SHRM—she helped shape the region’s human resources community.

In 1979, Doris married the love of her life, Doug Dunlap. Together, they faced a life changing decision in 1988 when the opportunity to acquire a highly technical engineering business appeared. Syn-Tech Systems was formed for this purpose and over time grew substantially. Both Doug and Doris were thrilled and gratified when their three children accepted the challenge to become the future owners and managers of the company. Today all three have spent an average of 16 years learning the dynamic of business success and achieving it. Doris felt seeing this success for her children was one of the greatest achievements of her life!

Doris will be remembered for her leadership, generosity, creativity, and deep love for her family and community. In retirement, Doris embraced her love of art and travel. She became an accomplished artist, working in oils, acrylics, and mixed media, and traveled to more than 30 countries around the world. Together, Doris and Doug were enthusiastic supporters of Florida State University athletics, the FSU College of Business, with Doug honored in the FSU College of Business Hall of Fame. Additionally, both were great supporters of the United Way of the Big Bend and the ALS Association.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years and their three children and families: Shane Smith wife Kristi Smith and sons Drew (23) and Dylan (20) Smith; (Vice President of Syn-Tech). Sara Dunlap Fletcher and daughter Henley (11) and son Colson (9) Fletcher (Controller Syn-Tech Systems). Douglas Scott Dunlap and wife Kirsten Dunlap, son Callum (3) and daughter Lena (1) Dunlap (Chief Financial Officer Syn-Tech Systems).

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 14th at Bradfordville First Baptist Church, 6524 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32312 starting at 1 p.m. Please join us for a celebration of life following the memorial service. Beginning at 3 p.m., the celebration will take place at Goodwood Museum and Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the ALS Association. A direct link can be found here: http://web.alsa.org/goto/InMemoryofDorisDunlap