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Brian O'Keith Dunbar

brian dunbar

July 19, 1968 ~ January 10, 2020

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Brian O’Keith Dunbar, 51, of Columbus, died at 10:39 a.m. January 10, 2020, at his home. He was born July 19, 1968 in Bartholomew County, the son of Perry McArthur Dunbar and Dale (Stargel) Dunbar. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He enjoyed collecting tools. Brian took very good care of his mom and sister and was helpful to others by being very generous to those in need. The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, January 18, 2020, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with Pastor Chuck Kennedy officiating. Calling will be from 1 p.m. until time of service. Survivors include his father, Perry McArthur Dunbar of Kentucky and mother, Dale Stargel Hennsley of Columbus; son, Brandon O’Keith Dunbar; daughter, Kayla Nicole Dunbar; and sisters, Elizabeth LeEtta Dunbar- Hughes, Perre Jo “PJ” Bryant.

 

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  2. This broke my heart when I heard. Brian and I go way back to high school. We stayed very close always. Talked on several different occasions even though I live in California. He will be missed by many. I will always love him. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God bless. Love to all

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  6. At such a point in time, may you know that thoughts and prayers are being sent to you and your family. May good memories give comfort during this time of loss.

    With Sincere Condolences,
    Velina Swords,
    Jamestown, KY

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  7. You will greatly missed Brian. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Till we meet again. Fly high my friend.

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  9. I can’t believe your gone Brian. I will miss you and think of you as long as I live. We had alot of fun together. You were always so polite and made me laugh. I love you Buzz. R.I.P until we meet again.

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  13. I will always keep you in my heart I love and miss you so much already untill we meet again watch over me

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  16. Me and Brian at one point was going to get married and have a baby boy. However, due to complications we lost it and it which led to the strain of our relationship. We started at friends and soon had developed a very close friendship. After we decided to end our serious relationship we had been able to remain the very best of friends. We both still had each other’s hearts even up. To the day that he died. We seen each other every single day and never went more than 2 days without seeing each other . There will forever be a void inside of me that will just never be able to be filled. Brian took my heart as well as my soul the moment that he passed away. He was my best friend and I will never refer to another person in life as my best friend because Brian was, he has been and he will forever remain my best friend for the rest of my life because well that is what he was. He never judged me he never gave up on me and no matter what he was always encouraging me to be and do better and anything that I do from this day forward to the good will be in honor of Brian and our friendship of almost 10 years. I am glad that we got the chance to make as many memories as we did and I will always keep them in a very special place within me and hold them very close to what is left of my heart. I love you B.B. ( As I have always called him). He has called me Precious him and his sister as an inside joke but now precious is not funny anymore because now B.B. you are my precious one. I just hate this .

    Love always,
    Crystal Kay

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  21. Brian was one of my closest friends more like family and he was by my side through some hard times and never judged me only listened with concern and he literally gave me the coat off his back. That’s the kinda guy he was. He and I made some memories that I will cherish forever. Like the rooftop we sat on once that was so special and the way he rigged my headlight with a solar light so I wouldn’t get pulled over driving and for telling me I made a great assistant but I sucked holding a flashlight. He made me laugh more times than I can count but I’ll never forget who he was to me.. Love always and forever..miss you so much

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  22. The day we met I knew there was something different about you. You weren’t like everyone else I was used to being around. You had this energy around you. And I was drawn to it. As time went on I realized what it was. You were/are an angel. There was a reason and a purpose for you being in my life. And you arrived when I needed ya the most. You knew of the demons I was fighting. But when I was around you, those demons weren’t around. You brought peace to my soul, my heart and mind. B, you were and always will be my guardian angel. I know this. Because even though you are gone, your presence is right here with me whispering in my ear to stop crying and keep on keeping on. As long as you stay by my side and help me get through this hell we call life, I’ll be just fine. I appreciate you giving me shit when I was screwing up. And I knew it was only because you cared. Your heart was bigger than the whole world. And I’d like to make you proud and continue sharing that heart of yours with anyone who might need a shoulder to cry on or a ear just to listen. I love ya Brian. Just stay here with me. I promise this next half is gonna be amazing with you by my side. ♥️

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  23. It’s been 10 years since a former friend of ours introduced us. We use to sit and talk about so many different things all the nights you stayed with me. It doesn’t seem real it wasn’t 12 hours prior to your death we was that game. I want so bad to come tomorrow but it’s for your children. I going to miss you

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  27. I was there when Brian was born. We were so excited to welcome a new little boy into the family. Uncle Charles and I loved him so much. His cousins, Charles Victor and John Kevin, spent a lot of time with him and LeEtta just enjoying being children. We have such good memories of those years. I am deeply saddened that he had to leave his family at such at young age. Praying for the family. Love, Cyndi

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  28. You Did Not Deserve To Die

    Most of the time, I can deal with your death. I can hold back the tears and accept that you are gone.

    I force myself to believe the cliche words that get thrown around, about how only the good die young and how God takes His favorites first. About how it was your time and how everything happens for a reason.

    However, sometimes, that silver linings attitude fades away and all that I can simply feel is anger. All that I can feel is hurt and all that I can feel is confusion .. Emptiness and the cobstant feelibg of being lost.

    Brian, I am sorry that I cannot be strong all of the time. Brian, I am sorry that there are days when I even question my faith. Brian, I am dorry that there are days when I absolutely hate the entire world and every single person inside of it. Brian I am sorry that there are days when I am bitter about the way that life has turned out.

    Brian, I am sorry that I cannot walk around with un-flinching hope when I know just how shitty that this world is. Brian I am sorry that. am not perfect. And brian I am sorry that I am carrying so much damn anger and sadness inside of me.

    Brian I am pissed, because you left your mom and your sister behind. Brian You left people who still needed your love, who still needed your voice, who still needed your hugs, who still needed your kisses. Brina People who cared about you more than they even cared about themselves. Brian People who would do anything to have even just one more minute with you.

    I’m pissed, because I keep seeing these shitty people running around without a care in the world, living for decades longer than you had the chance to. Because the goodness in your heart should have earned you more days, months, years.

    I’m pissed, because you deserved better. You deserved to celebrate more milestones. You deserved to see the people around you grow up. You deserved to grow old yourself and pass away peacefully in your sleep after ninety years of living your best life.

    I’m pissed, because it’s not fair. That sounds whiny to say, childish, but it’s the truth. What happened to you wasn’t fair. What happened to your family wasn’t fair. Nothing about your death was fair.

    I miss you. And I hate that I miss you, because I shouldn’t have to. I should be able to call you up. I should be able to knock on your door. I should be able to see you face-to-face anytime I want.

    You should still be here, right now, sending me texts to ask how I’ve been doing. You should still be here, right now, giving me a reason to laugh instead of cry. You should still be here, right now, alive and well.

    No matter how many cliches are thrown at me about how only the good die young, no matter how many of those sayings I choose to believe to find some semblance of comfort, I will always believe that your death was bullshit.

    I will always believe that there was some sort of mistake, that you didn’t deserve it.

    I will always believe that you deserved so much more.

    Four months laterand you not being here with me is killing me. I just hope that eventually it does not hurt quite as bad

    Love always,

    B.B.

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  29. I always knew you were an angel.
    Tell my dad I love him.. You guys make sure Legs gets plenty of water and a soft blanket to snuggle up under & that he knows I am infinitely sorry for not listening to him when he was trying to tell me we needed to go. Tell him that his Mommy says he’s a good boy and no matter what happens or how long it takes, I will always come back for him. —
    I guess if it weren’t for knowing ya’ll are already there, I wouldn’t be able to fathom ever being there someday also.
    The world is a much shittier place without you guys… I’m starting to think that whoever said that the grass wasn’t greener on the other side was obviously either a total moron or didn’t realize ya’ll were there.

    I love you, BuzzBuzz.
    —`Mamda’

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  30. I just found out about Brian passing. I served with him in the Marine Corps and we were stationed together in Okinawa and Camp Pendleton. In Okinawa, Brian and I were bunk mates and we were best friends. Since I had got out of the Corps I have been looking for you Brian and I wish I would have found you before you left. You have no idea how much you meant and still mean to me Brother. Of all my Marines I was the closest with you…so thank you brother for you friendship and brotherhood and your Love. You’ve always been in my heart and forever you will remain. Semper Fi Brian and I look forward to seeing you again my friend…OOH RAH

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