Roll Call Tribute

Dial Mathew Dunkin 

May 21, 1935 - April 22, 2025 

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the Lord called home a true South Texas industry icon. Banker, financier, sportsman and adventurer, Dial Mathew Dunkin went serenely to the next life, quietly passing at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Dial was born May 21, 1935, in Harlingen, Texas. As a life-long resident, he attended Harlingen schools and graduated from Harlingen High School in 1953.

After high school he attended Texas A&M University, majored in finance and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1957. After his freshman year, he married LaNell White and had two sons and two daughters from this union. Upon completing college, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana where he became Lieutenant in charge of the Base Finance Department. In 1960 he was given an honorable discharge and returned to join the Harlingen National Bank, where he became Executive Vice President of Lending.

In 1962 the Harlingen Air Force base was closed by the government, creating an economic disaster for Harlingen. Fortunately, Dial understood Air Force operations and entered into an agreement with two tailors in San Antonio to finance the dress uniforms of graduating officers from Lackland and Randolph Air Bases. To facilitate the financing of these uniforms, Dial was able to persuade the officers to open checking accounts whereby their military pay was deposited automatically every month. In turn, this financing program helped the bank through the hard times following the base closure. This department became known as World Wide Banking and was expanded to air bases all over the world. As a result of this unique financing offer, many of the officers remained customers of the bank even after they retired.

Ever the entrepreneur, Dial was always keen to recognize good business opportunities. Such an opportunity presented itself in 1967 when he decided to establish a credit insurance agency. This company, Dial Dunkin & Associates, later became the largest such agency in Texas providing credit insurance products to the banking industry.

Dial was always a very generous person. He provided multiple scholarships to Texas A&M University as well as financial support to the Harlingen Boys and Girls Club, The Palm Society, Coastal Conservation Association, Safari Club International, Texas Wildlife Association, Ducks Unlimited, National Rifle Association, Texas State Rifle Association, American Bankers Association, National Bankers Association, Independent Bankers Association of Texas, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Harlingen Chamber of Commerce, Texas Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Texas Cemeteries & Crematories Association and numerous local fundraising efforts.

Dial is survived by LaNell White Crumpler, Esperanza Escudero Perez Dunkin, Fidela Diaz Dunkin. His children include Doak M. Dunkin (Nora), Peggy Dunkin O’Brien (David), Wade Dunkin (Lisa), and Sandra Dunkin Wells (David), Donnette Hansen (Sheila), Douglas Dunkin (Darling), Kay. His grandchildren include Doak M: Mariska, Doak C. (Jennifer); Peggy: Tim (Ashley); Wade: Kelli, David, Carole, Christopher, Lauren and Andy; Sandra: Lexie (Mike), Madeline (Hunter), Mathew and James (Madi); Douglas: Lloyd and Anna Louise; Houston: Kristien Champion (Wesley), James, Dial C., and Katie; 24 great-grandchildren, he also survived by Robert Burns Dunkin (Ann), Bobby Dunkin (Debbie), Lucy Ann Worthal ( Matt).

He is preceded in death by Anna Louise “Weezie” Dunkin, his parents; Lucille Stevenson Dunkin and Dial Buster Dunkin, his son; Houston F. Dunkin, grandparents; Mathew Dunkin, Minnie Dunkin, Ernie Stevenson, Edith Stevenson.

Funeral Services for Dial Dunkin will be at Heavenly Grace Cemetery, Monday, April 28, 2025 at 2:00pm.

Rarely does an individual do so much for so many. Dial supported Harlingen his entire life, both in word and deed, taking on many challenges for the good of the people and the area. He loved Harlingen, and he threw himself into supporting the growth and betterment of this beautiful place he called home. He was a giant in South Texas banking and industry. He was loved by many and he will be missed.