Arthur Jerry Dunlap (Art), 69, lifelong rancher of Encino, NM passed away peacefully at his home Friday, June 9th, 2023.
Art was born in Albuquerque on January 15, 1954 to Noble and Virginia Dunlap. He graduated from Valley High School in 1972. He went on to New Mexico State University where he competed on the rodeo team and studied Agriculture. On November 10, 1979, he married Della Reid. In 1984, they moved to the family ranch in Encino that was homesteaded in 1934 by his father Noble.
From a young age, Art loved horses. Art traveled throughout the United States with his parents and sister competing and winning in top tier Quarter Horse competitions. Art was a superb horseman, having won the All-Around World Championship riding Mr. Snuffy Joe, Bar-O-Jewel, and Bright Blue Bar from the legendary Three-Bar bloodline. His awards are numerous and include many saddles, buckles, and trophies.
Art raised his family on the Dunlap family ranch and eventually grew it into Lazy VL Cattle Company, a legacy business. Art loved and respected the land and adhered to proper ranch management to ensure the land would sustain the growing cattle company for years to come. He took pride in raising top quality angus cattle and improving the ranches genetics over the years.
Art was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved to talk; it didn't matter about what, but mainly roping or rodeo. He loved to look at pictures or watch videos of his grandkids as they started growing up and playing sports.
Art was preceded in death by his parents, Noble and Virginia, and several uncles, aunts, and cousins. Art is survived by his wife Della of 43 years, son Greg (Laura) of Rio Rancho, NM, son Brett (Amber) of Bowie, TX, daughter Haley (Terral) of Encino, NM, 9 grandsons, 2 granddaughters, 3 great-granddaughters, and 1 great-grandson, sister Sue of Dallas, TX, niece Darla of Dallas, TX, and numerous friends.
"In 2006 someone was putting on a jackpot in Las Cruces and I talked them into putting on the very first WSTR qualifier. I spent several hours answering questions and explaining what we were going to do in Las Vegas that year. I promised to pay the entry fees for anyone that won these qualifiers in year number one, but the catch was that I needed twenty teams in order to pay. We intended to hold a #10.5 and 11.5, but unfortunately couldn't get twenty teams in either one and had to combine both ropings into one for a total of 22 teams, paid one money. Edna Kay Hinkle (Annette Stahl's mother) and Art Dunlap won the roping, split a little over $5,000 and got a $4,000 entry fee. Art was laughing, "guess I have to drive to Las Vegas and see this".
Since the WSTR started, several million teams across this country and in six foreign countries have won over One Billion dollars. But just thought some of you might want to know, it all starts somewhere with someone, Edna Kay and Art were the first." - Denny
