Winston Lowell Dunlap

Winston L. Dunlap, born May 2nd, 1938 to Jack Anson Dunlap and Ruby Estelle "Wyatt" Dunlap, in Sudan Texas (53 miles NW of Lubbock) passed away November 14, 2008 in Hermosa Beach, California. Winston graduated from Cisco High School in Cisco, Texas before entering the United States Army in 1958. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service while stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Winston came back to attend school at the University of Texas and started his career at the Lone Star Gas company in Dallas. He then worked for Six Flags Theme Park for 17 years and was in charge of the acquisition of Magic Mountain in Los Angeles, California. This brought his family out to the west coast where he eventually left the company as Vice President of Finance. Winston, driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a very supportive wife, Nancy, started Pronto Messenger Service in North Hollywood, California from 1980 to 1994.

It was during this time he became involved with his favorite past time, his three sons, Kevin, Mike, and Brian. The family was heavily involved in BMX racing and frequently traveled around the country racing BMX at various tracks. Winston ended up purchasing their hometown BMX track "Devonshire Downs" in Northridge. He and his sons continued their racing enjoyment until the boys left home for school. With inspiration from his sons, Winston, Nancy and the boys started DVS Shoe Company in 1995. DVS has grown into a worldwide enterprise that today employs over 125 people. As he approached his golden years of enjoyment with his wife and their grandchildren, Alzheimer's took him away.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Dunlap; his sons, Kevin Dunlap and wife, Alissa of Hermosa Beach, California; Mike Dunlap and wife, Kirsten of Huntington Beach, California; Brian Dunlap and wife, Sandy, of Manhattan Beach, California; grandchildren, Devin, Kale, Ashley, Zack, Cooper, Taylor, all of California. Winston is survived by 3 brothers, 3 sisters and numerous nieces and nephews. Many thanks to: Lorena Morego, the caregivers at Sunrise Assisted Living of Hermosa Beach, the Alzheimer's Unit, and the staff of Vitas Hospice.

Public viewing: Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm at Rice Mortuary, 5310 Torrance Blvd., Torrance CA 90503. Funeral: Thursday, November 20, 2008, 10:00 am at Rice Mortuary. Burial: Thursday November 20, 2008, 2:00 pm at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Alzheimer's Association, Attn: Development Department, 5900 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1100, Los Angeles, California 90036, or to www.alz.org, the Winston L. Dunlap Tribute Fund.