Mark Warren Tunison

1948 - 2025

Mark Tunison was born May 30th, 1948, in Oakland, CA and passed away June 15, 2025 in Hanford, CA.

Whether in the classroom, pottery studio, pool, home or abroad, Mark inspired many to smile, explore new places and foods, and make art. He had a gift for always seeing the positive in any situation and always left things better than he found them.

Mark was raised in a house built by his father, Warren, in San Leandro, CA. Warren instilled in him a lifelong love of plants and nature, and his mother, Barbara, nurtured his curiosity and creativity alongside his sister, Ann. His Bay Area roots also meant he was a loyal Raiders, Giants and Warriors fan.

He discovered a love for water polo and swimming at Pacific High School and continued to swim and play water polo at Chabot College, where he met Judi Edwards in an English class, during their first semester. They were married in 1970.Mark went on to complete his degree at San Jose State and then as a member of the Naval Reserves was sent to Vietnam, where he taught English to Vietnamese soldiers. This also influenced his career path as he realized he wanted to become an art teacher. After a brief return to the US, Mark and Judi headed to Australia where they both taught for three years and brought home an incredible souvenir, their daughter Amy. Mark and Judi then found themselves relocating to Hanford for an art position at Hanford High, establishing their forever home and welcoming their twins, Adam and Christopher.

They made incredible friendships with the other Hanford transplants they lovingly referred to as "The Usual Suspects" sharing Viking weddings, TGIFs, travel adventures, and endless dinners and BBQs.

Mark's life was busy with his kids' activities which filled him with so much pride and then he got to play a new role, grandpa to Amy's children Sam and Kate along with Adam and daughter-in-law Julene's children Nick, Katie Mac, Reese and Layne. He and his grandkids could often be found together making art, at the zoo, going to the movies and eating as much Superior Dairy ice cream as possible.

Mark taught at Hanford High for 32 years teaching 2D art and jewelry and eventually ceramics for 15 years. Many of his years at Hanford High Mark could be found on the pool deck coaching diving, swimming and water polo. He gifted thousands of Bullpups with his knowledge, skill and compassion. His and his students beautiful and functional works of art can be found in homes far and wide across the Valley and beyond. He was both loved and respected by his students.

Mark tirelessly promoted art and art education all over the Central Valley. He supported the Kings Art Center, the Young Masters Show, Mother's Day Chalk-In and Fresno State Clay Day. He taught HJUSHD night school, so that adults could experience the joy of ceramics as well. Mark helped co-found Clay Hand Studio in Fresno. In all of these spaces he was about building community, quietly, often behind the scenes, but his influence will be felt far and wide forever.

In 2004 Mark was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and in 2008 he and Judi retired to travel the world and create joy and memories with their family. He was blessed with family, friends and caregivers who enriched his life up until the last days.

We were all lucky to have learned from Mark whether it was pottery, kindness or humanity.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday June 28th, at 10 a.m. at the Kings Art Center, Hanford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kings Art Center or The Michael J. Fox Foundation.