Ricki Dunlap

Ricki (Rick) Dunlap passed away on February 8, 2025. Rick was born to Jake Dunlap and Patricia “Bernice” O’Neal Dunlap on February 19, 1951 in Friendsville, Tennessee. Born into poverty, Rick was raised by Charlie “Buck” and Lovell Crisp, his beloved aunt and uncle. At the age of 12, Rick returned to live with his parents.

At the age of 17, Rick enlisted in the US Army in 1968. He completed his basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky on March 14, 1969. Rick served as a combat veteran in the Vietnam War with the 101st Airborne Division, where he was a door gunner. During his tours, Rick earned the Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Bronze Star with Valor. After returning to the United States in the summer of 1971, Rick was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he met the love of his life, Karen Starbuck.

Rick and Karen married November 26, 1971. Together, they had 3 sons: Gregory, Chad, and Joshua. In 1981, the family moved to Montrose, Karen’s hometown. Rick continued his military career as a recruiter for the Army National Guard unit in Montrose. He also dedicated his time as a volunteer firefighter and member of the Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse. 

Upon his retirement from the Army in 1990, Rick attended the police academy at the Delta-Montrose Vo-tech. Upon graduation, Rick was hired by the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office where he worked his way through the ranks. In 2006, Rick was elected Montrose County Sheriff where he proudly served three terms. Rick retired from the Sheriff’s Office in 2018. In November 2024, Rick was elected Montrose County Commissioner for District 1. 

Rick was a remarkable man- devoted husband, father and Pa Paw - who loved God, his country, his community, his friends and most of all, his family. Rick enjoyed classic cars, gardening, hunting, fishing and off-roading.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years Karen; sons Gregory; Chad (Cindy), and Joshua (Amanda); his grandchildren Kristina (Cory), Curtis (Faith), Dylan (Kara), Makayla, Kaci, Emily, Spencer, and Micah; his great grandchildren Hadleigh, Conrad, Rowyn and Tiago (and two others on the way); and his brother, Donnie.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Bernice; his brothers, Curtis and Harold; and his sisters, Phylis and Teresa. 

Crippin Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A public viewing will be held Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Crippin Funeral Home, located at 802 E. Main Street. The memorial service for Rick is scheduled for Thursday, February 13th at 11:00am at the Montrose County Event Center, followed by a graveside memorial at Grand View Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans, located at 4 Hillcrest Plaza Way, Montrose, CO 81401. Donations may be made on their website https://www.whafv.org/donate.html with a tribute donation marked “In Honor of Rick Dunlap”.