Donald Hayes Dunbar

DELCAMBRE – A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Donald Hayes Dunbar, age 78 , at 3:00 pm Friday, January 23, 2015 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church with Fr. Nathan Comeaux officiating. Musical selections will be sung by his nephew, Jerry Dunbar. Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Lake Mausoleum.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 10:00 pm on Thursday with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. The funeral home will reopen at 9:00 am on Friday until service time.

A native of Port Barre and resident of Delcambre, Mr. Dunbar passed away at 11:55 am on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at his residence.

Mr. Dunbar was affectionately known to many as “Bootsie” and “Coach”. He was a 1955 graduate of Port Barre High School, attended Northwest Mississippi Jr. College for two years before going to the University of Louisville at Louisville, Kentucky where he would go on to play an integral part as a member of the Cardinal Football Team.

Coach Dunbar’s educational and coaching journey brought him to St. Martinville Senior High, Port Barre High School, Lafayette High School, Delcambre High, and Hanson Memorial High School. His success was evident around the state of Louisiana in all areas of athletics and academics. Serving as Football Coach and Track Coach as well as Assistant Principal and Principal, Coach Dunbar’s athletic teams brought many championships and honors throughout the years. He was very active in all areas of Track and Field throughout the state at all levels. He was active in umpiring LSU Track and Field as well as LHSAA Track and Field meets for many years. His success was acknowledged when he was inducted into the LHSAA Hall of Fame in 1994.

Coach Dunbar is a legend in the eyes of many, because of the impact he has made on so many young adult’s lives, both in the classroom and on the field. His legacy will remain in the love he had for his wife, sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Robin Dunbar of Delcambre; four sons, Don Dunbar, Jr. and wife Jennifer and David Dunbar all of Delcambre; John Paulmer “J.P.” Dunbar and wife Felicia of Ruston and Ryan Dunbar and wife Stacee of Coteau; eight grandchildren, Tyson Dunbar and wife Melissa; Colt Dunbar; Allissabeth “Alli” Dunbar; Kaylee Dunbar; Kelsie Dunbar; Trey Evans; Tracy Evans and Jodi Dunbar; and two great grandchildren, Ian Dunbar and Maddox Dunbar.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Clay and Onie Hayes Dunbar and three brothers, Gerald, Oscar and Johnny Dunbar.

Pallbearers will be Don Dunbar, Jr., John Paulmer “J.P.” Dunbar, David Dunbar, Ryan Dunbar, Carroll Broussard, and Tommy Robin.

Honorary pallbearers will be all former athletes from Delcambre High School and Hanson Memorial High.

To view on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of Delcambre is in charge of arrangements.