POST FALLS - It would be easy to call John Dunlap a champion for helping veterans and their families.

But Dunlap didn't stop there.

He reached out to the entire community, including some of the most vulnerable and in need.

Dunlap, who helped build American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls into the largest post in the state for the past 30 years as commander, died Saturday morning. He was 78.

"John was a guy who got everything accomplished," said Cliff Hayes, a Legion member, former Post Falls police chief and now county clerk. "It didn't matter what it was, he found a way to get it done. From the soup kitchen to all the events he organized, he was a person who got things done and didn't let anyone stand in his way.

"He was very good at getting his way, but it was always in the best interest of veterans."

Dunlap, who served 30 years in the Navy including during the Vietnam War, collapsed due to a stroke at the post on Jan. 27 and underwent emergency brain surgery to stop bleeding. He was in the intensive care unit at Kootenai Medical Center until his death.

There will be a celebration of Dunlap's life at the Legion, 1138 E. Poleline Ave., at 1 p.m. on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the John Dunlap Veterans Military Museum, c/o American Legion Post 143, P.O. Box 725, Post Falls, ID 83877.

"I don't know of a more active person in support of the community," said Bob Templin, a lifetime Legion member. "The annual community awards ceremony honoring police, firemen and teachers was all John Dunlap. We're going to really miss him."

Robert Shoeman, veterans' rep at the Idaho Department of Labor, said Dunlap put his own needs aside to help people who needed it.

"He never complained about his health, and he was always thinking about the next step to help veterans and the community," Shoeman said.

Dunlap's efforts included the Veterans Memorial at Evergreen Cemetery, Project Homeless Connect, the North Idaho Veterans Stand Down, the Legion's soup kitchen, flag and veterans ceremonies with Boy Scouts and at area schools, holiday meals for anyone in need, organizing the Color Guard for funerals and other events, assisting military families, an annual Sept. 11 ceremony, fundraisers, a food convoy to the veterans home in Lewiston, Boys and Girls State, Legion baseball and honoring community members.

"It would be easier to say what he didn't do for the community," said Tom Affeldt, a Legion member. "It's a great loss."

Dunlap's wife, Donna, assisted John with many Legion efforts. They would have celebrated their 56th anniversary in March.

"His loyalty was boundless and will stand forever as a marvelous example of uncompromising patriotism," said Frank Henderson, a lifetime Legion member and state legislator. "John's leadership will be missed but his record of unselfish service will remain forever as a model for all of us to emulate."

One of his greatest milestones came in 2006 after the construction of the new post, a shining example what other posts want to look like and a site to a variety of community events.

"The Legion is supposed to be one of the leaders of the community, and we'd like to live up to that," Dunlap said during the groundbreaking ceremony. "This is something the veterans need and the community needs."

The post in 2010 reached 700 members, despite coming at a time when World War II veterans and young involvement in organizations are declining. It marked the first time any post in the state reached the mark since 1947 with Moscow's Post 6.

Future projects on his mind included starting a year-round shelter for homeless veterans and opening a veterans museum next to the post.

"I have no doubt that he would've seen those through," Shoeman said.

Ron Star has been the acting commander in Dunlap's absence. The Legion will elect officers in April.

When Dunlap and the Legion wanted to assist people - no matter the size of the undertaking - he had his own way of rallying just the right troops to get it done and on time, friends say.

"We all have been subject to hearing John say 'Get a move on,'" Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin said.

Kerri Thoreson, who met Dunlap in the late 1980s and worked with him on several community projects, admired his dedication to veterans and the Legion over the years. She recalls when the Idaho Army National Guard 116th returned from their first deployment to Iraq in 2006.

"John wanted to have a parade to welcome them home, so put on a parade we did ... on Armed Forces Day in the pouring rain," Thoreson said. "Several hundred people lining the street holding umbrellas and waving flags; it was a good day. I will miss John the commander for sure, but mostly I'll miss John my friend."

Shoeman recalls a day when an out-of-state military family with five kids pulled up to the Legion and needed help to get home.

"John fixed them something to eat in the kitchen, called around to get them some gas money and got them to their destination," Shoeman said. "If there was a veteran in need, they went to John."

Dunlap studied journalism in Chicago and wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times and Navy Times. While in the Navy, he was stationed in Germany and Fallon, Nev., and retired as a senior chief petty officer.

He served in several state and national leadership positions with the American Legion, including state commander. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.

"There are many veterans in this area and their families who have had their lives improved because of John," said Bob Hunt, DAV Chapter 9 adjutant. "He knew who in the community could help veterans and would connect them."

Dunlap's honors included being Post Falls Citizen of the Year in 1997, the Legion's national Homeless Veterans Outreach Award, the governor's Brightest Stars award and the Above and Beyond Award from the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.

When recently asked what has made his service so rewarding, Dunlap said, "The fact that I've gotten to meet so many people."