Donald Dunbar

A devoted member of the Destin Methodist Church, Donald was rooted in his Christian faith and community. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964. After his time in the Army, he went on to work as a store manager for Acme Supermarkets for 20 years. When he retired, Donald and his late wife Rita took the plunge into entrepreneurship. They purchased a closed boatyard in Edgewater, Maryland, and turned it into Casa Rio Marina. The marina was known for its hands-on ownership and quality work. Together, they operated the marina for 30+ years. In 2015, they made Destin, FL, their home, where Donald could enjoy what he loved most: the beach, boating, fishing with Chris, traveling, woodworking, and, above all, time with family and friends.

Donald was the son of the late Anna Mae and Thomas B. Dunbar. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Rita, and by his dear daughter, Aletha Colleen Martin, of Aylett, VA.

He leaves behind his sister, Beverley Minnerly, and her husband, Richard, of The Villages, FL; sons Shawn Dunbar of Aylett, VA; Chris Schaefer and his wife, Jan, of Destin, FL; Robert Schaefer and his wife, Genia, of Marshall, VA; and Timothy Day of Spry, PA; and 15 grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 161 Racetrack Road, Ft. Walton Beach, FL. A funeral service will immediately follow. The family request friends to please dress in "Florida" attire, please don't wear dark clothing for the service. Donald will be laid to rest privately next to Rita at Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville, MD, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

In place of flowers, donations in Donald’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org by selecting “Donate” or “Ways to Give.” Online condolences may be shared at emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com