April 16, 1958 – January 29, 2024
Pastor Marshall Grant Dunlap, 65, of Farmington Hills. MI, peacefully passed away on January 29. 2024 at home, after a long battle with kidney disease and cancer.
Marshall was born on April 16, 1958 to Grant and Elizabeth Dunlap in Detroit, MI. His brother Dale Dunlap was born exactly 1 year later, and the family was complete. After Marshall graduated from Detroit Cass Tech in 1976, he attended Albion College. He then pursued a degree in Theology at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C..
After graduation, Marshall was appointed to serve Thoburn United Methodist Church in Detroit. At that time he met his counseling elder, Susan DeFoe. They married in January 1985, and went on to have 4 children; Danny in 1986, Molly in 1988, and twins Libby and Larry in 1989.
Marshall spent much of his more than 3 decade long career serving as co-pastor with his wife Susan. Together they served at Detroit Mt. Hope, Trenton Faith, Royal Oak First, and Dearborn First. He also served at Harper Woods Redeemer and Farmington First. In addition, he worked for 7 years as the Pension Officer for the Annual Conference. He was disappointed when he had to go on disability in 2016 due to polycystic kidney disease. His passion and love for ministry was lifelong.
In addition to his ministry in the church, he had a life-long love for the Bay View Association in Northern Michigan. He not only grew up through the Recreation Program there as a child, but he went on to work on staff for more than a decade as a leader, lifeguard, and swim instructor. As an adult, he was the Recreation Director and served on countless committees. His love for, and influence on, the Bay View community cannot be overstated.
Marshall was predeceased by his parents Grant and Elizabeth Dunlap. He is survived by wife Susan, his 4 children, Danny (Brittany), Molly (Kevin), Libby (Shane), Larry (Heather), and granddaughter Geneva Dunlap. He is also survived by his brother Dale (Gwen) and sister-in-law Molly Macaulay (Bob) as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many beloved relatives and friends. Services will be held at Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W 11 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336 on February 3, 2024 at 11 am, with visitation starting at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Bay View Association, 1715 Encampment Ave. P.O. Box 583 Petoskey, MI 49770.
*Dunlap, Marshall G (Susan DeFoe Dunlap) – DECEASED [(RE) P 1981; F 1985; RE 2011] Detroit: Thoburn 1983; Detroit: Mt. Hope 1986; Trenton: Faith (½) 1989; Conference Pension Officer, Trenton: Faith (co-pastor) (½) 1/1/1999; Royal Oak: First (co-pastor) (½), Conference Pension Officer (½) 1999; Royal Oak: First (co pastor) (¾), Conference Pension Officer (¼) 2003; Royal Oak: First 11/1/2005; Harper Woods Redeemer (¾), Dearborn: First (co pastor) (¼) 2008; Retired 2011; returned from voluntary retirement (para 358.7), Farmington: First 2013; medical leave 2/1/2016.
Last Updated on March 13, 2024