Charles Frederick Tunnicliff

Charles Frederick Tunnicliff was born on August 24, 1944, in Johnson City, New York. He was the son of John Felix Tunnicliff and Jeannette Louise Johnson. He spent his early life in Davenport, Iowa and St. Louis, Missouri together with his two sisters, Jeannette ("Duchess") and Patricia ("Buttons"). After his Mother died, the three Tunnicliff children came to live with his mother's sister, Patricia Johnson Luckie and her husband William McKinley Luckie in Thomasville, Georgia. Charles graduated from Thomasville High School and began his studies at Florida State University in 1962. At FSU he spent 4 years in Air Force ROTC and was advertising manager for the Florida Flambeau, which was then the student run newspaper. It is also where he met his wife, Cynthia Skelton. Charles graduated in 1966 from the College of Business with a degree in Marketing. As he waited to be drafted into the Armed Services, he took a job as a deck hand on a tugboat pulling barges up and down the Ohio River. That adventure was the source of many tales in his later years. His draft notice came through and he received a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army serving as a supply officer.
Charles and Cynthia married on Charles' birthday, August 24, 1968. They spent their first married year living in Idar-Oberstein, Germany and traveling Europe in a VW Camper. They often said that "If a marriage can survive living in a VW Camper it can survive anything". Charles and Cynthia were married for 56 years. Upon returning from Europe, they both attended law school at FSU and graduated in 1971. They stayed in Tallahassee and raised their three Children: Jeannette Tunnicliff Goldsmith (Andy), Philip Ladds Tunnicliff (Mia Asmus) and Andrea Caroline Tunnicliff (Chistian Amos). Jeannette and Andy live in Greenville, South Carolina and have two sons: James Mason and Charles Ladds. Philip and Mia live in Vero Beach, Florida and have a daughter, Haviland Sloan. Andrea and Christian live in Tallahassee and have two daughters: Hannah Louise and Jeannette Marrion.
Charles had a distinguished 35-year career as a lawyer for the State of Florida serving the agency that primarily regulated businesses and professions through its various iterations; prosecuting a myriad of businesses and professions such as physicians, architects, accountants, contractors, restaurant and liquor licenses (The source of many more tales).
He was a long time Seminole Booster Golden Chief and endowed two athletic scholarships. He created the Cynthia and Charles Tunnicliff Endowment for Excellence at the FSU College of Law and served on its Board of Visitors.
He delighted in coaching Girls Softball and Little League for the City Parks and Recreation Department (even after his own children were no longer involved). He was a member of Capital Rotary Club, initiating its annual handicap fishing tournament and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was involved with LeMoyne Center for the Arts from its inception, serving on the Board. He was instrumental in the beginning of the Chain of Parks Art Festival. Charles was an avid runner and spent many years as a member of the Gulf Winds Track Club.
What he should be remembered for, however, was his devotion to his family. Charles and Cynthia created a true partnership for the raising of children and grandchildren. He loved being with his family: skiing in New Mexico and Colorado; spending time at his homes in North Carolina or Alligator Point. In all his endeavors he never sought the spotlight, he simply enjoyed the job, the companionship of family and friends, and the good times.
Charles died on June 6, 2024, and is survived by his wife, his three children and five grandchildren. A service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church on Thursday, June 13th at 3:00 with a reception to follow in Alfriend Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the LeMoyne Center for the Arts, St. John's Episcopal Church, or the Cynthia and Charles Tunnicliff Endowment for Excellence at the FSU College of Law.
Rocky Bevis of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Tunnicliff family with their arrangements.