Rev. Dunagan

Reverend Blake Dunagan, cherished husband and father, beloved pastor and friend, went to be with the Lord this Friday, June 22, as a result of complications of congestive heart failure. He was 81. He was born in Paris, Texas, October 27, 1930, the baby of his family. An early sign of the gifts that would lead him into the ministry came when his class at Paris High School unanimously chose him to deliver the commencement speech at their graduation. It was the first time a student and not some outside noteworthy had been selected for such an honor. He answered the call to preach early, pastoring his first church, Springlake Baptist, at only age 18 while he was a student at Paris Junior College. He went on to complete a B.A. in English at Baylor University and finished his educationat Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master in Divinity in 1958. In a ministry spanning over 45 years, he pastored 10 different churches, all in Texas. The most significant included Second Baptist Church, Dallas; First Baptist Church, Como; King Memorial Baptist Church, McKinney; First Baptist Church, DeKalb; and First Baptist Church, Clarksville. After his retirement from the ministry, he continued to preach, serving as interim pastor in 11 eleven churches. He was driven by a passion for the Gospel and the people whom he served. Preceding him in death are his parents, A. O. Dunagan and Pauline Vise Dunagan, a brother George, who died prior to serving in WWII, and his sisters Alice Ruth Haynes and Jean Koger. Surviving him are Mary Virginia Dunagan, his wife of 53 years, sons Kevin and Daniel Dunagan, and two daughters and their families: Susan Gimble, her husband Mark Gimble, and daughters Emily and Elaine; and Laurie Williams, her husband Chris Williams, and sons Tristan and Tanner. Nell Stratton, his secretary in his final pastorate, expressed a sentiment typical of how people felt about him and his ministry: “We’ve had a lot of good pastors, but none like Brother Blake.” Loving husband and father, devoted servant of God and His people, he will be missed. The service will be held Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Southside Baptist Church under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM, 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Rev. Dunagan

October 27, 1930 - June 22, 2012