Reverend Raymond G. Dunkin passed on May 6, 2024, in McKinney, Texas at the age of 89. Raymond was born to Raymond H. Dunkin and Arlene (Osborn) Dunkin in Houston, Texas, June 19, 1934.
Raymond was a man deeply rooted in faith and devoted to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He preached his first sermon at the age of 15 at the Star of Hope Rescue Mission in downtown Houston. After graduating from Milby High School, Houston, in 1952, he received a BA Degree from Baylor University in 1956 and a bachelor of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1960. While in Seminary, he pastored two churches, Little Cedar Baptist Church near Antlers, Oklahoma and Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Ratcliff, Texas. Raymond served three other churches during his fulltime ministry, Parkview Baptist, Lufkin, 1960-1967, First Baptist, Quitman, 1967-1971 and Bellmead First Baptist, Waco, 1971-1988.
In August 1988, he was asked to become Director of Missions for Unity Baptist Association in East Texas, based out of Lufkin, Texas, serving until his retirement. Highlights of his ministry include his leadership in an evangelistic citywide crusade resulting in hundreds of professions of faith; leading in two mission ventures in Winona, Minnesota and Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico; developing a Senior Adult and Criminal Restorative Ministries, serving on the Human Welfare Coordinating Board for the Baptist General Convention of Texas; and in association with Texas Partnerships, taking a team to Homebush, Australia to lead in an Evangelistic Crusade. Upon his retirement, he became a consultant with Texas Partnerships for Southeastern Texas and the coast. His passion was preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout his retirement, he conducted numerous revivals, conferences and interims both here and abroad.
He is survived by his daughter, Cindy and husband, Dale Long of McKinney, Texas; son, Carl and wife, Lynn, of Chattanooga, Tennessee; son, Chris and wife, Amber, of China Spring, Texas; eight grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; sister, Carol and husband Glen Hedgepeth of Burleson, Texas; brother, Ron Dunkin and wife Carolyn of Cement, Oklahoma; sister, Nelda Rothermel and husband Chuck of Ft. Worth, Texas; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and other numerous loving family and friends.
Raymond is preceded in death by his parents, and beloved wife, Gerry Jane.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, May 24, 2024 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013 with Dr. Bill Skaar, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, officiating. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Raymond’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/raymond-gerald-dunkin. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Thursday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Garden of Memories Memorial Park, 5205 S First St, Lufkin, Texas 75901 with Reverend John Greene officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering of the International Mission Board at: https://www.imb.org/generosity/lottie-moon-christmas-offering/