MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Boyd, Pope, Whaley, Suber, Jackson, Hopson, Sparks, Williams, Michel
A RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MISSISSIPPI BUSINESSMAN AND HUMANITARIAN ROBERT H. "BOB" DUNLAP OF BATESVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING THE SYMPATHY OF THE SENATE.
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we join the family and friends of Robert H. "Bob" Dunlap in mourning his passing on January 11, 2026, at age 96. Mr. Dunlap was Chairman and CEO of Dunlap & Kyle Co., Inc., and a beloved philanthropist whose generosity touched thousands of lives; and
WHEREAS, born in Batesville, Mississippi, in 1929, Mr. Dunlap was a proud Navy veteran who devoted nearly a century of hard work to give back more than he received; and
WHEREAS, he began his career working at Dunlap & Kyle Co., a small, family-owned business that sold cars, farm equipment, and tires. As Chairman and CEO, Mr. Dunlap grew Dunlap & Kyle Co. (including Gateway Tires & Hesselbein Tires) into one of the largest independent wholesale and retail tire distributors in the South, with sales first topping $1 Billion Dollars in 2021. Yet he will be remembered more for his heart than his business acumen; and
WHEREAS, a proud son of Batesville, he believed in using his successes to improve the community he called home and the lives of others. Mr. Dunlap was a lifelong member of Batesville Presbyterian Church. His philanthropy was legendary: scholarships for countless students, donations to schools, colleges and universities, churches, charities, and simple acts of kindness that literally changed lives. Behind the scenes, he paid tuition for waitresses and warehouse workers, forgave debts for those struggling with illnesses, and gave second chances to men and women coming out of prison by offering them jobs and careers at Dunlap & Kyle; and
WHEREAS, the walls at his headquarters are covered with framed awards and certificates. In 2023, Mr. Dunlap was named Tire Business magazine's "Tire Dealer Humanitarian of the Year" in recognition of his lifetime of generosity; and
WHEREAS, a very proud Eagle Scout, Mr. Dunlap embodied the Scout's oath of service throughout his life. He championed Scouting across Mississippi and the Mid-South, funding facilities, scholarships, and opportunities for thousands of young people, particularly those who were Eagle Scouts. He was honored for his service to the Boy Scouts of America with the 2024 award of the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award; and
WHEREAS, a lover of the outdoors, he was also a committed conservationist. He dedicated decades to reforesting land across Mississippi, planting millions of trees, many on Caulk Island, his 12,000-acre property along the Mississippi River, protected with a conservation easement which prevents the trees from ever being cut. His work ensured that future generations would inherit both a healthier environment and thriving wildlife habitats; and
WHEREAS, over the last 30 years, Mr. Dunlap supported the Palmer Home for Children, as well as countless civic and religious organizations. Whether helping a church build a new sanctuary, supporting local athletics, or underwriting community development projects, his quiet generosity shaped Batesville and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Batesville Mayor, Hal Ferrell, called him "a man with the Midas Touch in the community," noting that his investments of time, land, and resources "encouraged businesses, supported schools, and left an indelible legacy of generosity." His life embodied the words quoting George Bernard Shaw: "A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out." Robert H. Dunlap did just that, and so much more; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Cyd Dunlap; sister, Sarah Dell Gray, five children Michael (Beth Ann), Joe, Angela Waldrup, Amy Totaro, and Richard (Alicia); step-son, Booth Tarkington; 10 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, and nine loving rescue dogs, three cats, two squirrels, a cow and swayback horse. His sons and grandchildren carry on his legacy through their work in the family business; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi whose enormous civic energy and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on his community and on the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby pay tribute to the life and legacy of Mississippi businessman and humanitarian Robert H. "Bob" Dunlap of Batesville, Mississippi, and extend the sympathy of the Senate to his family, friends and members of his business community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Bob Dunlap, forwarded to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Batesville, Mississippi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.