Caroline Randle Tunkel

Caroline Randle Tunkel, 74, of Fernandina Beach, Florida passed away peacefully overnight Christmas Day, December 25, 2022, visiting family in Jackson, New Hampshire. Caroline was a fighter who had experienced multiple health battles to continue living, as all who knew her would attest. To see her pass away so suddenly and peacefully was in many ways a blessing. Her last full day here on Earth was spent as she would have wanted, with her grandchildren, playing board games, cooking for the family, and enjoying the beauty of a fire on a snowy New England Christmas Eve.

Caroline was born on July 22, 1948 in Jacksonville, Florida, to her parents O.E. Randle, Jr. and Marguerite (Athon) Randle. She grew up in Bradenton, Florida, the loving sister to Janice (Gibbs) Ferguson, Claire Randle, and James Randle. Bradenton fostered her love of the water, as she was a competitive swimmer in high school and never wanted to be too far from the ocean.

Caroline met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Tunkel, while studying for her bachelor's degree in Education at Florida State University. She and Bob were married on June 13, 1970 in Bradenton, Florida. They spent their honeymoon traveling to Michigan for Bob's Air Force tour, where Caroline immediately learned that she never wanted to live in the cold again! Soon enough, they made their way back to Florida. In short succession, they welcomed two daughters, Laura and Kari.

After a few years, as part of a career move for Bob, they decided to settle in Hinesville, Georgia. Caroline began to work full time as a fourth-grade teacher. Liberty County Schools gave her more and more responsibility, first assistant principal, then principal, and finally to assistant superintendent of schools. In 1999, she earned her Doctorate in Education from University of Sarasota.

She was a long-time member of the Hinesville United Methodist Church, serving in the capacity of Quality of Life coordinator along with her husband Bob. She also organized the local American Cancer Society Relay for Life for several years.

Caroline's first bout with cancer came at a too young age of 47. She battled throat cancer but it took a gradual toll on her body. That she could live such an amazingly full life through two more rounds of cancer again speaks volumes about her determined and positive character. In the ensuing years, Caroline welcomed her daughters' husbands, Jeff and Mark, into the family, and ultimately her greatest joy, her five grandchildren, Athon, Ella, Asher, Ellie and Cara. She looked so forward to Camp Tunkel every year as it evolved and as the children grew, taking them to Disney World, water parks, the Carolina and New Hampshire mountains and wherever else they wished to go!

But above all, she was blessed to spend 52 years with Bob. She was immensely lucky to have Bob there, supporting her through every battle, her best friend. As they moved to Fernandina Beach, Florida in retirement, they were able to enjoy life to the fullest. They loved seeing the world and all 50 states along with their friends Sue and Dane who pushed them to travel places they never would have thought of going! Caroline was a member of the Ruth Circle at the First Presbyterian Church in Fernandina Beach and served as President of the P.E.O. service organization. She volunteered many years for the Joy to the Children service event at Christmas and on the Dr. Ackerman Beam Team providing her perspective and support to cancer patients. She relished competition and games, playing duplicate bridge with her dear friend Trish. One of Caroline's cherished accomplishments was her recent achievement of Ruby Life Master.

Caroline is survived by her husband, Robert Tunkel of Fernandina Beach, Florida, as well as her daughters, Laura (Tunkel) Ugino and her husband Jeffery Ugino of Melrose, Massachusetts, and Kari (Tunkel) Herrin and her husband Mark Herrin of Savannah, Georgia. She leaves five grandchildren, Athon Herrin, Ella Ugino, Asher Herrin, Ellie Herrin and Cara Ugino. Her siblings Janice (Gibbs) Ferguson of Dallas, Georgia and James Randle of Bradenton, Florida survive her as well as many nieces and nephews. Caroline is predeceased by her younger sister Claire Randle.

A service to honor Caroline's life will be held at the Nassau County Council on Aging on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. As per her wishes, Caroline's remains will be interred at the arboretum at the First Presbyterian Church in Fernandina Beach.

A P.E.O. Educational scholarship is being established in Caroline's honor. If you would like to contribute, please make checks payable to the P.E.O. Foundation and place Caroline Tunkel in the memo line. Contributions can be mailed to: Treasurer, P.E.O. Chapter IJ, 2884 Landyns Circle, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.