Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Paul David Tunnell

FUNERAL HOME

Duggan's Funeral Service - The Duggan Welch Family

3434 17th Street

San Francisco, California

Paul Tunnell Obituary

TUNNELL, Paul David - Paul passed away at his home on April 23 at the age of 49. Paul was born January 27, 1956 to Billie Louise and Raymond Tunnell in El Paso, TX. He attended Southwestern Adventist Univ., where in 1978 he received a bachelor's degree in health care administration. Paul moved to San Francisco, CA, in 1980 to work for Kindred Health Care for 23 years. Paul had a passion for the care and well being of others. He advanced to the position of district director of operations for Kindred Health Care for the state of California. He also became chairman of the board for the California Association of Health Facilities. He was an activist for the providing of better care for and the rights of the elderly citizens in the community. Paul is survived by his mother Billie Louise Tunnell; brothers, Dale Tunnell, Norman Tunnell, Jimmy Tunnell; and his sister Paula Tunnell Ice. He is preceded in death by his father Raymond Tunnell and his sister Linda Tunnell Williamson. He is also survived by 12 nieces, nephews and many friends that he loved and was loved by. Friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin St. at Geary, SF. Private Interment, Greenwood Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX. Paul wished that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Paul Tunnell Scholarship Fund, QCHF, 2201 K St., Sacramento, CA 95816, 916-441-6400 THE DUGGAN WELCH FAMILY 3434 -17th Street (415) 431-4900

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Apr. 26 to Apr. 27, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Tunnell

15 Entries

Tom Halloran

January 19, 2023

Your beloved mother Billie Louise is now with you. May you both enjoy the company of each other once again.

Thomas Vincent Halloran

April 20, 2022

You are remembered, always. So in another time and place we shall once again find ourselves laughing...... at it all.

Thomas Halloran

July 3, 2021

You are remembered. As I near 60 yrs the passage of time only seals you within my heart and soul. You were to have been here for all of it. Like Danny, I remember the love and devotion. So at another time and place we shall once again laugh in the park with each other.

How you can show support

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Chris Logan and Fred Cummins

April 30, 2005

We will miss this fine member of the fellowship and good friend. We will miss his humor and hard work in the community and seeing him shopping at Safeway in the Castro.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his many family members and friends--too many to count.We have indeed lost a wonderful example of what one can do in a lifetime.With Love,Chris and Fred

Michael Schirmer

April 27, 2005

"Anyways, um..." Pauls effortless humor and warm generosity will be missed my me and many others. His stength and genuine care for others will never be forgotten! My prayers go out to his family.

Dolly Bindra

April 27, 2005

I love Paul and will never forget him. Paul loved life and more so he loved his job of "taking care of those who can not take of themselves". He had a heart of gold which had room to love everyone in a special way. Paul was a true friend who was always there for the people he cared for. He always took care of his team and his coomitment to caring is a well deserved legacy for which he will always be remembered with respect. I feel honored to have worked under his leadership. He will always be in my heart.

With love

Dolly Bindra

Rob Kubitz

April 27, 2005

Paul was one of the most admired, respected and loved people I have ever known. He was always there to help others in need, and never laid judgement.

The first time I was ever at Paul's home he gave me one of the many treasured "lucky" stones that he held. For the next year I didn't leave my home without it, to help me when life got tough. I went to find it the other day, because I wanted to give back the gift before he was gone so he could have the energy left in it. But it wasn't where I thought it should be, and after searching and searching I could find it nowhere. I like to think that Paul actually did take it with him, and he's holding onto it right now.

Paul, all of your many, many, many friends and acquaintances will have to go on with a huge hole in their lives. I will miss you tremendously, but take heart in knowing that we will meet again, and I can't wait to hear that sense of humor again...

Andrew McFarlane

April 27, 2005

Paul was one of the first speakers I had heard in San Francisco at a convention I attended a decade ago. He was standing there on a podium dwarfed by a crowd of 4000 people. I thought to myself, wow, now look at that open face...and that voice! And then I noticed his jewelry. Fierce.

Paul started off quiet and began to tell his life story, and he laid it all out on the line: True Paul: 1000% honestly, holding nothing back. I couldnt help myself but to lose it right then and there. I couldn't believe someone could be that honest. I broke down crying.

In the span of 45 minutes, Paul-- sometimes flashy, sometimes quiet, sometimes losing it and shedding a tear, through the sharing of his life story single-handedly gave me one the greatest lessons in life I have ever learned: No matter who I am, where I've been, what I've done, or where I'm going, I am worth it-enjoy life- and go for it.

In the early 90's Paul used to razz me and some of my friends for being little brats. We were. Thats the side of Paul I will never forget: He'd have all this serious responsibility aura swirling around him, but he ALWAYS took the time to make light of things and make you feel included, no matter what . He used to say "Listen Sweetie (the way only Paul can do), I love you kids alot, you KEEP having fun!". . And he would throw his head back in laugh. I will miss him very, very much.

Forrest Parnell

April 27, 2005

Paul - you were truly a kind hearted, sweet and loving man. I only knew you personally, but how wonderful you were. Thank you for the fun times we spent together, Beach Blanket Babylon, our trip to New York last fall, our group trip to the Nutcracker last Dec., and all the countless times that you said "come on along Susyn, you'll have fun". I really really loved you, and I know you knew that. Your passing truly is a signal to me that God has called home one of his angels for that is what you were my friend - an angel. I love you. Forrest

Betsy Hite

April 26, 2005

When CAHF hired me, ZI thought it would be a quick "crisis consult." Then a funny thing happened along my journey. I met extraordinary people like you, who have such an absolute compassion about caring for the elderly that my role evolved from “story killer and spinner” to become a true advocate for California’s nursing homes and the people who work in them.

The best part of my job now is being in our facilities and getting to know the residents and staff. I love seeing the people we care for through the lens of a camera, as a reporter does. I have forged relationships between reporters and residents that I know will touch the reporters for the rest of their lives.

Please let me echo what so many other people have told you over the course of your magnificent career: You have touched countless lives; caregivers, residents and families alike. Your commitment to caring is a well-deserved legacy for which you should be eternally proud.

You have also changed my life. You’ve let me know that it’s okay to wear our compassion on our sleeves. It’s okay to feel, to love, to grieve and most of all to tell the people we care about just how much they mean to us.

Thank you for always being there to tell the story of long-term care. I never had any reservations about putting you on camera, even if I didn’t have a chance to prep you. I knew that whatever the issue, you would talk from the heart and your heart-felt compassion would come through.

I will miss you. I love you, and more importantly, I thank you for making me a better, more compassionate person.

Love,

Betsy

Michelle Howey

April 26, 2005

Paul had a true gift in his quick wit. Everytime in Paul's presence I walked away feeling better about our business and our lives in general. He could make you laugh in the best and worst of times. We will carry a part of him in us forever. Miss you Mr. T.

Sande Monagan

April 26, 2005

I will truly miss Paul for many reasons known only to him. He was a guiding light for me in challenging times, a true leader and shining example of kindness personified.

Melissa and Dana Leavitt-McGee

April 26, 2005

We love Paul and will never forget him. He is a gift to this world, and he will always be a special person in our hearts and memories.

Love to all the family.

With love--Melissa and Dana

JoAnn Romanzi Herne

April 26, 2005

My sincere condolences to Aunt Billie and the rest of the Tunnell family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. I wish I could be there with Jill and all of you to pay tribute to a man who dedicated his life to helping others and improving health care. As an RN and Director of a nursing program, I truly appreciate PD's scholarship fund and will send a donation.

Love to all,

JoAnn

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results