Harry Dunlap

Ilwaco resident Harry B. Dunlap, 81, died January 3, 2008 in Ilwaco. Harry was born October 18, 1926 in Wardner, Idaho, the son of Jim and Maud Wilcox. At the time it was thought that his mother would die soon after his birth so he was adopted by his midwife and her husband, Nellie and Harry V. Dunlap who raised him. The Dunlap's soon moved to Portland, but Harry returned to Wardner during the summer to be with his sister. Harry grew up in the Montavilla and Woodstock areas of southeast Portland where he attended grade school and Franklin High School. Two days before his 18th birthday he dropped out of high school to join the United States Marine Corps. He served with the 4th Division in the South Pacific and saw combat at Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands. He was honorably discharged in June of 1946. His military time behind him, Harry returned to Portland where he completed his high school education. He drove tour bus for Gray Lines, was a dance instructor for Arthur Murray, worked at an auto dealership, and also raced midget cars and demolition cars at the Portland Speedway. He found his career by graduating from Western States Chiropractic College as a Doctor of Chiropractic. His initial practice was in the Amboy area of rural Clark county. He met Eileen Brechtbill on a blind date and they were married September 5, 1954 in Portland. In 1957 they moved to Ilwaco where Harry initially worked at his Uncle Al's lumber mill on the Naselle River. When that ended he resumed his chiropractic practice out of his residence in Ilwaco. By the early 1960s he was employed by the Port of Ilwaco to be followed by working in local cranberry and oyster businesses, at the Western Mineral plant on Stringtown Road, and at Doupe' Hardware in Ilwaco. Forty years ago he began assisting Eldred Penttila at Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, a career which he was very proud of and enjoyed until just recently. Harry was Past Commander of Ilwaco Post of American Legion and served as Exhalted Ruler of Long Beach Elks No. 1937 for the year 1977-78 As a youth he learned to play the piano with his father and this love of music endured a lifetime. Besides the piano he also played the organ and was self taught playing the bagpipes. For years his talents were shared at the Long Beach Elks, numerous weddings and other local events, and his bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace" concluded many a funeral service. Harry also played the calliope for the Astoria Clowns for many years. During the 1960s Harry served as Justice of the Peace for the City of Ilwaco. Among his other interests, Harry enjoyed painting, collecting model trains and cars, making home brew, clamming, tinkering in his garden, remodeling his home and caring for numerous dogs, cats and the local raccoon population. He was very much his own person and was blessed with a delightful sense of humor. Besides his wife of 53 years, Harry is survived by brother Jim Wilcox of Norco, CA; numerous nieces, nephews and other members of his extended family. Celebration of his Life will be held Saturday, January 12, 2008, 2:00 PM at Penttila's Chapel by The Sea. A reception will follow at the chapel. Concluding services with full military honors will be held Monday, January 14, 2008, 3:00 PM at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Memorials may be made to either the South Pacific County Humane Society or the American Cancer Society in care of Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. Sign the guestbook or share a memory at www.penttilaschapel.com.