Virgil Preston Dunbar

Virgil "Preston" Dunbar, 79, a long-time Big Spring resident, passed away after a long and courageous battle with alzheimers on Friday, May 2, 2008, in a Flatonia nursing home. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Monday, May 5, 2008 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Rev. Mike Couch and Rev. Ken Coffee, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.Preston was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His amazing strength and courage in the face of an unrelenting disease inspired many freinds, family and medical providers. Preston was born in Big Spring, Texas on January 28, 1929 to Altie Pearl and Virgil P. Dunbar. He was raised in Big Spring, graduating from high school in 1947.Preston's first job as a little boy was delivering newspapers with his brothers, Don and Doyle Dunbar. He had many happy memories riding his bike and fishing with his brothers at the Moss Lake in Big Spring. After graduating from high school, Preston enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1948. Preston had a 22 year career with the Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force he worked 19 years with Lee George Construction.In 1973, good friends, Arnold and Mona Lou Tonn, introduced Preston to the love of his life, Jerrye. Preston and Jerrye combined their families, five wonderful children, Altie, Connie, Pacca, Virgil and Felecia. Preston always said that his greatest gift were his children and his children all agree he was their greatest gift. Preston's favorite pastimes were; studying his Bible, wetting a hook, snake hunting with best buddy, CA Tonn, playing with his grandchildren and attending family reunions.Preston had a great love for his extended family at the Hendricks Home for Children in Abilene. His wife, Jerrye, was raised at the Hendricks Home and they shared 34 years of Christmas and summer visits to the Homes' ranch in Lueders. He was honored to serve as deacon at the First Baptist Church in Big Spring.Survivors include wife, Jeraldine Dunbar of Austin; four daughters, Altie Sue Nelson of Plainview, Connie Hawn of Mississippi, Pacca Conrad of Austin, and Felecia Ford of New Mexico; one son, Virgil Preston Dunbar of Mississippi; four sisters, Dorothy June Justice, Linda Pullin, Judy Gerdes and Barbara Fisher; fourteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Don Dunbar and Doyle Dunbar; and one great nephew, Jason Ellison. The family would like to thank the Staff at the Oak Manor Nursing Home, Flatonia and Dr. Juan Carlos Ortega, MD. We would also like to thank the many healthcare providers that served Preston at Scenic Mountain Hospital and Clinc. The family suggests memorials be made to Hendricks Home for Children, PO Box 5195, Abilene, Tx 79608 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 4400 N Big Spring Suite C-32, Midland, Tx 79705. Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,