OBITUARY
DR. JOHN WESLEY TUNNELL, SR.
2 Apr 1914 – 14 Dec 1999
Dr. John W. Tunnell, Sr. of Taft passed away Tuesday, December 14, 1999 at a local hospital. Dr. Tunnell was born April 2, 1914 in Dallas, Texas, son of Newell Summers Tunnell and the former Lucile John Howard. He was reared in Gregory and attended Texas College of Arts and Industries (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville) for his B.S. degree in 1937. He received his M.D. degree in 1942 from Baylor Medical School in Dallas, where he met his wife, Rosalie Newman, who also graduated with her M.D. degree at the same time. His specialty was General Practice and Minor Surgery and hers Pediatrics. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946 in medical hospitals in Battlecreek, Michigan, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and Biloxi, Mississippi. He received his Honorable Discharge in 1946 at the rank of Captain.
Dr. John and Dr. Rose (as they were locally known) then opened the Tunnell Clinic in Taft where they practiced medicine for 38 years: from June 26, 1946 to August 31, 1984 together. During this time, Dr. John held a number of important positions including Chief of Staff of the Taft Hospital, President of the Tri-County Medical Society, President of the Taft Independent School District School Board from 1961-1976, President of the Taft Kiwanis Club during 1950. Dr. John also received numerous recognitions for his service to medicine and his community including the Citizenship Award of Taft in 1957 and 1992 by the Taft Kiwanis Club; the Humanitarian Award, City of Taft Chamber of Commerce in 1977; recognition of 35 years of service to American Academy of Family Practitioners; recognition of "38 years of service to the community of Taft" by the City of Taft and First Methodist Church in 1984; recognition of "Rose and John Tunnell Day" by Mayor and City of Taft on September 1, 1984; recognized for work with the Blackland Museum by State of Texas House Resolution No. 417 of the 70th Legislature on April 27, 1986; outstanding senior for San Patricio County by Gray Fest in 1992. Dr. John was also recognized in 1997 as a Founder in 1947 of the American Academy of Family Physicians in their 50th Anniversary Year. He also received his 50 year Kiwanis pin in 1998.
Dr. John was also very committed to both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. He belonged to one of the first Boy Scout troops in the Coastal Bend, Troop 2 (then 47) in Gregory from 1926-1934. He received his Eagle Award in January 1934, in Gregory, then remained to become Assistant Scout Master. He was Cub Master of Troop 43 Cub Scouts in Taft in 1946, Neighborhood Commissioner from 1955-1965 and 1967-1970, District Vice-Chairman in 1996, and Commissioner in 1974 and several following years. He received Scouting’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award, for recognition of service in 1963. Dr. John was also instrumental in building both the Boy Scout Hut and Girl Scout Hut (now Kiva) in Taft. He encouraged other citizens of Taft to contribute both their time and money to these projects, and citizens were responsible for building them, not contractors (although local contractors "pitched in" also). Likewise, Dr. John was also instrumental in gathering the community together to build St. Luke's Methodist Church of Taft, the Gregory Masonic Lodge of Taft, and to start the Taft Blackland Museum. Many people knew of Dr. John's large arrowhead murals of Indian scenes, but few people knew that during the 1930s with his step-father, Harold F. Pape, he had collected the largest cataloged and mapped surface archeological collection in the Texas Coastal Bend. Recent work on this collection by modern day archeologists has only recently proven how significant his early collection was to South Texas Archeology. Dr. John had numerous interests as evidenced by the many societies and organizations he belonged to including 16 medical societies; 21 rifle, pistol, and hunting associations; 14 coin and currency societies and clubs; eight memberships in Mason’s and Shriner’s groups; several archeological societies; 14 conservation organizations, and over 30 other miscellaneous organizations. In his latter years, one of his greatest loves was for things of the past, as evidenced by his work with the Blackland Museum and membership in eight museum organizations and seven historical societies.
Dr. John was a strong patriot and family man and often contributed his resources, money, and time to those things he believed. He was contributor to many organizations related to freedom, family, and Christian values. Unknown to many, he helped numerous young people go to college, because he was such a firm believer in education. He always said that he practiced medicine because he loved it, as well as helping people, not for money.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Rosalie Newman Tunnell of Taft; one brother, William F. Tunnell (Joyce) of Portland; one son, John W. Tunnell, Jr. (Kathy) of Corpus Christi; three daughters, Lucile Grymes (Dean) of Taft, Nancy Hutto (Robert) of Markham and Beth Box (Gary) of Taft; 13 grandchildren: Stephanie, Jace, and James Tunnell; Laura and Johnny Grymes; David, Sherry, Paul, Allen, and Katie Hutto; and Kayla, Tyler, Tanya Box; and two great-grandchildren Chelsea Edmonds and Kamile Madison Hutto.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Reding, Buddy Miller, Dutch Lamprecht, Dr. Charles Simpson, Bob Whitehead, Gilbert Baird, L.E. Ramey, Elton Ford, Carl Aldridge, Eugene Hunt, Maynard Abrahams, James Graves and Henry Harren. Active Pallbearers will be Jace and James Tunnell, David and Paul Hutto, John Grymes, Dave Mutchler, Karl Mont, and Glenn Farris.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday December 17, 1999 at First United Methodist Church in Taft with Rev. David Vernon, Rev. Larry Mayo and Rev. Lee Bevly, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Gregory Cemetery in Gregory, Texas.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Taft Blackland Museum 301 Green Avenue, Taft, Texas 78390 or the John W. Tunnell Scholarship Fund, First Victoria National Bank, P.O. Box 478, Taft, Texas 78390.
DR. JOHN WESLEY TUNNELL, SR.
2 Apr 1914 – 14 Dec 1999
Dr. John W. Tunnell, Sr. of Taft passed away Tuesday, December 14, 1999 at a local hospital. Dr. Tunnell was born April 2, 1914 in Dallas, Texas, son of Newell Summers Tunnell and the former Lucile John Howard. He was reared in Gregory and attended Texas College of Arts and Industries (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville) for his B.S. degree in 1937. He received his M.D. degree in 1942 from Baylor Medical School in Dallas, where he met his wife, Rosalie Newman, who also graduated with her M.D. degree at the same time. His specialty was General Practice and Minor Surgery and hers Pediatrics. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946 in medical hospitals in Battlecreek, Michigan, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and Biloxi, Mississippi. He received his Honorable Discharge in 1946 at the rank of Captain.
Dr. John and Dr. Rose (as they were locally known) then opened the Tunnell Clinic in Taft where they practiced medicine for 38 years: from June 26, 1946 to August 31, 1984 together. During this time, Dr. John held a number of important positions including Chief of Staff of the Taft Hospital, President of the Tri-County Medical Society, President of the Taft Independent School District School Board from 1961-1976, President of the Taft Kiwanis Club during 1950. Dr. John also received numerous recognitions for his service to medicine and his community including the Citizenship Award of Taft in 1957 and 1992 by the Taft Kiwanis Club; the Humanitarian Award, City of Taft Chamber of Commerce in 1977; recognition of 35 years of service to American Academy of Family Practitioners; recognition of "38 years of service to the community of Taft" by the City of Taft and First Methodist Church in 1984; recognition of "Rose and John Tunnell Day" by Mayor and City of Taft on September 1, 1984; recognized for work with the Blackland Museum by State of Texas House Resolution No. 417 of the 70th Legislature on April 27, 1986; outstanding senior for San Patricio County by Gray Fest in 1992. Dr. John was also recognized in 1997 as a Founder in 1947 of the American Academy of Family Physicians in their 50th Anniversary Year. He also received his 50 year Kiwanis pin in 1998.
Dr. John was also very committed to both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. He belonged to one of the first Boy Scout troops in the Coastal Bend, Troop 2 (then 47) in Gregory from 1926-1934. He received his Eagle Award in January 1934, in Gregory, then remained to become Assistant Scout Master. He was Cub Master of Troop 43 Cub Scouts in Taft in 1946, Neighborhood Commissioner from 1955-1965 and 1967-1970, District Vice-Chairman in 1996, and Commissioner in 1974 and several following years. He received Scouting’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award, for recognition of service in 1963. Dr. John was also instrumental in building both the Boy Scout Hut and Girl Scout Hut (now Kiva) in Taft. He encouraged other citizens of Taft to contribute both their time and money to these projects, and citizens were responsible for building them, not contractors (although local contractors "pitched in" also). Likewise, Dr. John was also instrumental in gathering the community together to build St. Luke's Methodist Church of Taft, the Gregory Masonic Lodge of Taft, and to start the Taft Blackland Museum. Many people knew of Dr. John's large arrowhead murals of Indian scenes, but few people knew that during the 1930s with his step-father, Harold F. Pape, he had collected the largest cataloged and mapped surface archeological collection in the Texas Coastal Bend. Recent work on this collection by modern day archeologists has only recently proven how significant his early collection was to South Texas Archeology. Dr. John had numerous interests as evidenced by the many societies and organizations he belonged to including 16 medical societies; 21 rifle, pistol, and hunting associations; 14 coin and currency societies and clubs; eight memberships in Mason’s and Shriner’s groups; several archeological societies; 14 conservation organizations, and over 30 other miscellaneous organizations. In his latter years, one of his greatest loves was for things of the past, as evidenced by his work with the Blackland Museum and membership in eight museum organizations and seven historical societies.
Dr. John was a strong patriot and family man and often contributed his resources, money, and time to those things he believed. He was contributor to many organizations related to freedom, family, and Christian values. Unknown to many, he helped numerous young people go to college, because he was such a firm believer in education. He always said that he practiced medicine because he loved it, as well as helping people, not for money.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Rosalie Newman Tunnell of Taft; one brother, William F. Tunnell (Joyce) of Portland; one son, John W. Tunnell, Jr. (Kathy) of Corpus Christi; three daughters, Lucile Grymes (Dean) of Taft, Nancy Hutto (Robert) of Markham and Beth Box (Gary) of Taft; 13 grandchildren: Stephanie, Jace, and James Tunnell; Laura and Johnny Grymes; David, Sherry, Paul, Allen, and Katie Hutto; and Kayla, Tyler, Tanya Box; and two great-grandchildren Chelsea Edmonds and Kamile Madison Hutto.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Reding, Buddy Miller, Dutch Lamprecht, Dr. Charles Simpson, Bob Whitehead, Gilbert Baird, L.E. Ramey, Elton Ford, Carl Aldridge, Eugene Hunt, Maynard Abrahams, James Graves and Henry Harren. Active Pallbearers will be Jace and James Tunnell, David and Paul Hutto, John Grymes, Dave Mutchler, Karl Mont, and Glenn Farris.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday December 17, 1999 at First United Methodist Church in Taft with Rev. David Vernon, Rev. Larry Mayo and Rev. Lee Bevly, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Gregory Cemetery in Gregory, Texas.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Taft Blackland Museum 301 Green Avenue, Taft, Texas 78390 or the John W. Tunnell Scholarship Fund, First Victoria National Bank, P.O. Box 478, Taft, Texas 78390.
OBITUARY
DR. JOHN WESLEY TUNNELL, SR.
2 Apr 1914 – 14 Dec 1999
Dr. John W. Tunnell, Sr. of Taft passed away Tuesday, December 14, 1999 at a local hospital. Dr. Tunnell was born April 2, 1914 in Dallas, Texas, son of Newell Summers Tunnell and the former Lucile John Howard. He was reared in Gregory and attended Texas College of Arts and Industries (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville) for his B.S. degree in 1937. He received his M.D. degree in 1942 from Baylor Medical School in Dallas, where he met his wife, Rosalie Newman, who also graduated with her M.D. degree at the same time. His specialty was General Practice and Minor Surgery and hers Pediatrics. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946 in medical hospitals in Battlecreek, Michigan, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and Biloxi, Mississippi. He received his Honorable Discharge in 1946 at the rank of Captain.
Dr. John and Dr. Rose (as they were locally known) then opened the Tunnell Clinic in Taft where they practiced medicine for 38 years: from June 26, 1946 to August 31, 1984 together. During this time, Dr. John held a number of important positions including Chief of Staff of the Taft Hospital, President of the Tri-County Medical Society, President of the Taft Independent School District School Board from 1961-1976, President of the Taft Kiwanis Club during 1950. Dr. John also received numerous recognitions for his service to medicine and his community including the Citizenship Award of Taft in 1957 and 1992 by the Taft Kiwanis Club; the Humanitarian Award, City of Taft Chamber of Commerce in 1977; recognition of 35 years of service to American Academy of Family Practitioners; recognition of "38 years of service to the community of Taft" by the City of Taft and First Methodist Church in 1984; recognition of "Rose and John Tunnell Day" by Mayor and City of Taft on September 1, 1984; recognized for work with the Blackland Museum by State of Texas House Resolution No. 417 of the 70th Legislature on April 27, 1986; outstanding senior for San Patricio County by Gray Fest in 1992. Dr. John was also recognized in 1997 as a Founder in 1947 of the American Academy of Family Physicians in their 50th Anniversary Year. He also received his 50 year Kiwanis pin in 1998.
Dr. John was also very committed to both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. He belonged to one of the first Boy Scout troops in the Coastal Bend, Troop 2 (then 47) in Gregory from 1926-1934. He received his Eagle Award in January 1934, in Gregory, then remained to become Assistant Scout Master. He was Cub Master of Troop 43 Cub Scouts in Taft in 1946, Neighborhood Commissioner from 1955-1965 and 1967-1970, District Vice-Chairman in 1996, and Commissioner in 1974 and several following years. He received Scouting’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award, for recognition of service in 1963. Dr. John was also instrumental in building both the Boy Scout Hut and Girl Scout Hut (now Kiva) in Taft. He encouraged other citizens of Taft to contribute both their time and money to these projects, and citizens were responsible for building them, not contractors (although local contractors "pitched in" also). Likewise, Dr. John was also instrumental in gathering the community together to build St. Luke's Methodist Church of Taft, the Gregory Masonic Lodge of Taft, and to start the Taft Blackland Museum. Many people knew of Dr. John's large arrowhead murals of Indian scenes, but few people knew that during the 1930s with his step-father, Harold F. Pape, he had collected the largest cataloged and mapped surface archeological collection in the Texas Coastal Bend. Recent work on this collection by modern day archeologists has only recently proven how significant his early collection was to South Texas Archeology. Dr. John had numerous interests as evidenced by the many societies and organizations he belonged to including 16 medical societies; 21 rifle, pistol, and hunting associations; 14 coin and currency societies and clubs; eight memberships in Mason’s and Shriner’s groups; several archeological societies; 14 conservation organizations, and over 30 other miscellaneous organizations. In his latter years, one of his greatest loves was for things of the past, as evidenced by his work with the Blackland Museum and membership in eight museum organizations and seven historical societies.
Dr. John was a strong patriot and family man and often contributed his resources, money, and time to those things he believed. He was contributor to many organizations related to freedom, family, and Christian values. Unknown to many, he helped numerous young people go to college, because he was such a firm believer in education. He always said that he practiced medicine because he loved it, as well as helping people, not for money.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Rosalie Newman Tunnell of Taft; one brother, William F. Tunnell (Joyce) of Portland; one son, John W. Tunnell, Jr. (Kathy) of Corpus Christi; three daughters, Lucile Grymes (Dean) of Taft, Nancy Hutto (Robert) of Markham and Beth Box (Gary) of Taft; 13 grandchildren: Stephanie, Jace, and James Tunnell; Laura and Johnny Grymes; David, Sherry, Paul, Allen, and Katie Hutto; and Kayla, Tyler, Tanya Box; and two great-grandchildren Chelsea Edmonds and Kamile Madison Hutto.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Reding, Buddy Miller, Dutch Lamprecht, Dr. Charles Simpson, Bob Whitehead, Gilbert Baird, L.E. Ramey, Elton Ford, Carl Aldridge, Eugene Hunt, Maynard Abrahams, James Graves and Henry Harren. Active Pallbearers will be Jace and James Tunnell, David and Paul Hutto, John Grymes, Dave Mutchler, Karl Mont, and Glenn Farris.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday December 17, 1999 at First United Methodist Church in Taft with Rev. David Vernon, Rev. Larry Mayo and Rev. Lee Bevly, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Gregory Cemetery in Gregory, Texas.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Taft Blackland Museum 301 Green Avenue, Taft, Texas 78390 or the John W. Tunnell Scholarship Fund, First Victoria National Bank, P.O. Box 478, Taft, Texas 78390.
DR. JOHN WESLEY TUNNELL, SR.
2 Apr 1914 – 14 Dec 1999
Dr. John W. Tunnell, Sr. of Taft passed away Tuesday, December 14, 1999 at a local hospital. Dr. Tunnell was born April 2, 1914 in Dallas, Texas, son of Newell Summers Tunnell and the former Lucile John Howard. He was reared in Gregory and attended Texas College of Arts and Industries (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville) for his B.S. degree in 1937. He received his M.D. degree in 1942 from Baylor Medical School in Dallas, where he met his wife, Rosalie Newman, who also graduated with her M.D. degree at the same time. His specialty was General Practice and Minor Surgery and hers Pediatrics. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946 in medical hospitals in Battlecreek, Michigan, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and Biloxi, Mississippi. He received his Honorable Discharge in 1946 at the rank of Captain.
Dr. John and Dr. Rose (as they were locally known) then opened the Tunnell Clinic in Taft where they practiced medicine for 38 years: from June 26, 1946 to August 31, 1984 together. During this time, Dr. John held a number of important positions including Chief of Staff of the Taft Hospital, President of the Tri-County Medical Society, President of the Taft Independent School District School Board from 1961-1976, President of the Taft Kiwanis Club during 1950. Dr. John also received numerous recognitions for his service to medicine and his community including the Citizenship Award of Taft in 1957 and 1992 by the Taft Kiwanis Club; the Humanitarian Award, City of Taft Chamber of Commerce in 1977; recognition of 35 years of service to American Academy of Family Practitioners; recognition of "38 years of service to the community of Taft" by the City of Taft and First Methodist Church in 1984; recognition of "Rose and John Tunnell Day" by Mayor and City of Taft on September 1, 1984; recognized for work with the Blackland Museum by State of Texas House Resolution No. 417 of the 70th Legislature on April 27, 1986; outstanding senior for San Patricio County by Gray Fest in 1992. Dr. John was also recognized in 1997 as a Founder in 1947 of the American Academy of Family Physicians in their 50th Anniversary Year. He also received his 50 year Kiwanis pin in 1998.
Dr. John was also very committed to both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. He belonged to one of the first Boy Scout troops in the Coastal Bend, Troop 2 (then 47) in Gregory from 1926-1934. He received his Eagle Award in January 1934, in Gregory, then remained to become Assistant Scout Master. He was Cub Master of Troop 43 Cub Scouts in Taft in 1946, Neighborhood Commissioner from 1955-1965 and 1967-1970, District Vice-Chairman in 1996, and Commissioner in 1974 and several following years. He received Scouting’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award, for recognition of service in 1963. Dr. John was also instrumental in building both the Boy Scout Hut and Girl Scout Hut (now Kiva) in Taft. He encouraged other citizens of Taft to contribute both their time and money to these projects, and citizens were responsible for building them, not contractors (although local contractors "pitched in" also). Likewise, Dr. John was also instrumental in gathering the community together to build St. Luke's Methodist Church of Taft, the Gregory Masonic Lodge of Taft, and to start the Taft Blackland Museum. Many people knew of Dr. John's large arrowhead murals of Indian scenes, but few people knew that during the 1930s with his step-father, Harold F. Pape, he had collected the largest cataloged and mapped surface archeological collection in the Texas Coastal Bend. Recent work on this collection by modern day archeologists has only recently proven how significant his early collection was to South Texas Archeology. Dr. John had numerous interests as evidenced by the many societies and organizations he belonged to including 16 medical societies; 21 rifle, pistol, and hunting associations; 14 coin and currency societies and clubs; eight memberships in Mason’s and Shriner’s groups; several archeological societies; 14 conservation organizations, and over 30 other miscellaneous organizations. In his latter years, one of his greatest loves was for things of the past, as evidenced by his work with the Blackland Museum and membership in eight museum organizations and seven historical societies.
Dr. John was a strong patriot and family man and often contributed his resources, money, and time to those things he believed. He was contributor to many organizations related to freedom, family, and Christian values. Unknown to many, he helped numerous young people go to college, because he was such a firm believer in education. He always said that he practiced medicine because he loved it, as well as helping people, not for money.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Rosalie Newman Tunnell of Taft; one brother, William F. Tunnell (Joyce) of Portland; one son, John W. Tunnell, Jr. (Kathy) of Corpus Christi; three daughters, Lucile Grymes (Dean) of Taft, Nancy Hutto (Robert) of Markham and Beth Box (Gary) of Taft; 13 grandchildren: Stephanie, Jace, and James Tunnell; Laura and Johnny Grymes; David, Sherry, Paul, Allen, and Katie Hutto; and Kayla, Tyler, Tanya Box; and two great-grandchildren Chelsea Edmonds and Kamile Madison Hutto.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Reding, Buddy Miller, Dutch Lamprecht, Dr. Charles Simpson, Bob Whitehead, Gilbert Baird, L.E. Ramey, Elton Ford, Carl Aldridge, Eugene Hunt, Maynard Abrahams, James Graves and Henry Harren. Active Pallbearers will be Jace and James Tunnell, David and Paul Hutto, John Grymes, Dave Mutchler, Karl Mont, and Glenn Farris.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday December 17, 1999 at First United Methodist Church in Taft with Rev. David Vernon, Rev. Larry Mayo and Rev. Lee Bevly, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Gregory Cemetery in Gregory, Texas.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Taft Blackland Museum 301 Green Avenue, Taft, Texas 78390 or the John W. Tunnell Scholarship Fund, First Victoria National Bank, P.O. Box 478, Taft, Texas 78390.
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