Arvis Dunbar, Sr. was born on April 29, 1940 in Kelso, Arkansas to the late Louis and Minnie Dunbar. At the age of six, his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri.
Arvis proclaimed his faith in Christ at an early age at Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. He attended Banneker Elementary and Vashon High School. While at Vashon, he was very active on the football, baseball and wrestling teams, and in the choir and band. He lettered in all of the sports and he played the tuba. He later obtained a black belt in Judo. He loved the sport so much that he became a Sensei at the Sakura Judo Club, where he inspired and encouraged many young people.
Arvis was employed as an overhead crane operator and instructor at Abex Corporation until the company closed.
Arvis and Helen (Bonnie) Wallace were joined in holy matrimony on June 13, 1964. This year they celebrated 48 years of marriage. To this union six children were born, one of whom, Angela, preceded him in death.
Arvis departed this life on October 13, 2012. He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted wife, Helen (Bonnie) Dunbar; five children, Arvis (Denise) Dunbar Jr., Dana (Robert) Watts, Ericka (Brian) Williams, Eric (Lecia) Dunbar and Shawn (Tracie) Dunbar; nine grandchildren, DeAngelo, Tender (who preceded him in death), Dy’Nieshia, Michael, Dominique, Nyla, Destiny, Zaria, Brian Jr. (BJ) and Erik Jr. (EJ); six great-grandchildren and one on the way; four siblings, Richard (Dorothy) Dunbar, Thelma (Isaiah) Thomas, Eugene Dunbar and Pauletta Dunbar; two brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews, four of whom were at his side as he was departing from this life, Shahadu (Tiffany) Sutton, Christina Wallace and Gerald Walker; cousins and a multitude of wonderful friends.
