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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Boyd, Pope, Whaley, Suber,
Jackson, Hopson, Sparks, Williams, Michel
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 76
A RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF 1
MISSISSIPPI BUSINESSMAN AND HUMANITARIAN ROBERT H. "BOB" DUNLAP OF 2
BATESVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING THE SYMPATHY OF THE SENATE. 3
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we join the family and 4
friends of Robert H. "Bob" Dunlap in mourning his passing on 5
January 11, 2026, at age 96. Mr. Dunlap was Chairman and CEO of 6
Dunlap & Kyle Co., Inc., and a beloved philanthropist whose 7
generosity touched thousands of lives; and 8
WHEREAS, born in Batesville, Mississippi, in 1929, Mr. Dunlap 9
was a proud Navy veteran who devoted nearly a century of hard work 10
to give back more than he received; and 11
WHEREAS, he began his career working at Dunlap & Kyle Co., a 12
small, family-owned business that sold cars, farm equipment, and 13
tires. As Chairman and CEO, Mr. Dunlap grew Dunlap & Kyle Co. 14
(including Gateway Tires & Hesselbein Tires) into one of the 15
largest independent wholesale and retail tire distributors in the 16
South, with sales first topping $1 Billion Dollars in 2021. Yet 17
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he will be remembered more for his heart than his business acumen; 18
and 19
WHEREAS, a proud son of Batesville, he believed in using his 20
successes to improve the community he called home and the lives of 21
others. Mr. Dunlap was a lifelong member of Batesville 22
Presbyterian Church. His philanthropy was legendary: 23
scholarships for countless students, donations to schools, 24
colleges and universities, churches, charities, and simple acts of 25
kindness that literally changed lives. Behind the scenes, he paid 26
tuition for waitresses and warehouse workers, forgave debts for 27
those struggling with illnesses, and gave second chances to men 28
and women coming out of prison by offering them jobs and careers 29
at Dunlap & Kyle; and 30
WHEREAS, the walls at his headquarters are covered with 31
framed awards and certificates. In 2023, Mr. Dunlap was named 32
Tire Business magazine's "Tire Dealer Humanitarian of the Year" in 33
recognition of his lifetime of generosity; and 34
WHEREAS, a very proud Eagle Scout, Mr. Dunlap embodied the 35
Scout's oath of service throughout his life. He championed 36
Scouting across Mississippi and the Mid-South, funding facilities, 37
scholarships, and opportunities for thousands of young people, 38
particularly those who were Eagle Scouts. He was honored for his 39
service to the Boy Scouts of America with the 2024 award of the 40
National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award; and 41
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WHEREAS, a lover of the outdoors, he was also a committed 42
conservationist. He dedicated decades to reforesting land across 43
Mississippi, planting millions of trees, many on Caulk Island, his 44
12,000-acre property along the Mississippi River, protected with a 45
conservation easement which prevents the trees from ever being 46
cut. His work ensured that future generations would inherit both 47
a healthier environment and thriving wildlife habitats; and 48
WHEREAS, over the last 30 years, Mr. Dunlap supported the 49
Palmer Home for Children, as well as countless civic and religious 50
organizations. Whether helping a church build a new sanctuary, 51
supporting local athletics, or underwriting community development 52
projects, his quiet generosity shaped Batesville and beyond; and 53
WHEREAS, Batesville Mayor, Hal Ferrell, called him "a man 54
with the Midas Touch in the community," noting that his 55
investments of time, land, and resources "encouraged businesses, 56
supported schools, and left an indelible legacy of generosity." 57
His life embodied the words quoting George Bernard Shaw: "A 58
gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out." 59
Robert H. Dunlap did just that, and so much more; and 60
WHEREAS, he is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Cyd 61
Dunlap; sister, Sarah Dell Gray, five children Michael (Beth Ann), 62
Joe, Angela Waldrup, Amy Totaro, and Richard (Alicia); step-son, 63
Booth Tarkington; 10 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, 64
and nine loving rescue dogs, three cats, two squirrels, a cow and 65
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ST: Paying tribute to life and legacy of
Mississippi businessman and humanitarian Robert
"Bob" Dunlap of Batesville.
swayback horse. His sons and grandchildren carry on his legacy 66
through their work in the family business; and 67
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this 68
most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi whose enormous civic 69
energy and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on 70
his community and on the State of Mississippi: 71
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 72
MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby pay tribute to the life and legacy 73
of Mississippi businessman and humanitarian Robert H. "Bob" Dunlap 74
of Batesville, Mississippi, and extend the sympathy of the Senate 75
to his family, friends and members of his business community. 76
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to 77
the surviving family of Bob Dunlap, forwarded to the Mayor and 78
Board of Aldermen of Batesville, Mississippi, and made available 79
to the Capitol Press Corps. 80