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FUNERAL HOME

Owens and Brumley Funeral Home - Wichita Falls

1317 9th Street

Wichita Falls, Texas

John Tunnell Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for John Tunnell
Start: 2020-08-10T22:00:00.000Z
Location: live streamed via Facebook

John Tunnell

Wichita Falls - John Lee Tunnell, 75, passed away on the afternoon of August 6, 2020.

A celebration of John's life will be held at the Maskat Shrine Center on Monday August 10th at 5 PM. Services will be live streamed via Facebook from the event page "John Tunnell - A Celebration of Life."

Born and raised in North Texas, John returned home as a Purple Heart recipient after serving in Vietnam in the Marine Corps. John was a member of Faith Masonic Lodge and the Maskat Shrine where he served as Potentate in 1995 and has served as Recorder since 1997. As an Emeritus Representative of the Iowa Corporation of Shriner International John has performed the roles of Imperial Outer Guard Aide, Imperial Election Teller, and Imperial Potentate Aide.

An educator that never stopped teaching; John is survived by his adoring wife, Jennifer, brother Max and wife Mary; two daughters Leah and Kendyl, one son John and husband Tomas Zamudio; grandson John Tyler Ford and wife Carson, and grandson Travis Ford and wife Monica. He will be remembered by his family, two generations of junior high and high school band students across North Texas, and a rambunctious cadre of Masonic brothers for the immense and undeniable joy he shared with his world. The light of John's life will shine on through bad puns, rambling stories, and indelible memories of a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

In lieu of flowers please send your donation to Shriner's Hospitals for Children-Houston, 6977 Main St, Houston, TX 77030 where John served on the Board of Governors.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.owensandbrumley.com

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

Published by Times Record News from Aug. 8 to Aug. 9, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for John Tunnell

Sponsored by Times Record News.

21 Entries

Jeremy Skelton

August 30, 2025

My family comes from a military background. My dad retired from the Navy back in the fall of 92. He was born and raised here so he moved us down here to be with rest of the villages and to attend the high school him and my mom first met at that of SH rider. I enrolled mid November 92 at McNeil junior high where I enrolled in the beginners band, which was taught by somebody who would come to know as a friend hero and mentor John Tunnell. I was kind of shy since I spent the first 13 years of my life moving from one Navy base to another up and down the West Coast. Mr. John Tunnell taught me to enjoy all aspects of music even though at times I didn´t think I knew how to play something to me. They´re my first semester and a half at McNeil during the 92-93 year. I was advanced to the marching band my eighth grade year, but struggled academically when I advanced to the ninth grade I started out once again in the beginner band at Rider high. My direct band teacher was once again John Tunnel. Since I also was enrolled in JROTC towards my freshman year I wanted to try to join one of the ROTC competitions team the following year. So I left band to focus my abilities on other Challen goals ever since that mid November semester 92 Mr. Tunnel never allowed me to give up even those last three years in high school when I competed in general TC rather than band, he was still there to mentor me to make sure I was able to graduate when I join the military after high school he told me how proud he was. I attended his memorial service and got to meet his wife and kids. Let them know how much he meant to me and my family because he only taught me. My two sisters were also students of his. I am now a full-time college graduate and a veteran of the Texas Army National Guard so many inspirations that got me to achieve all the challenging goals. I´ve reached and managed to get a hold of one of the biggest inspirations somebody who I will never forget i feel I still need to thank is Mr. John Tunnell

Lee Ann Morren

August 24, 2020

Mr. Tunnell was my band director in Childress from 73-76. He was a wonderful man. We challenged some of the traditional marching rules in 75-76 and were the only band in our area to start incorporating dancing on the field with our rendition of "Smoke on the Water". One day at contest, he told us not to move as the field was wet as we were waiting for the field to dry out some. We didn't. I was truly saddened to hear of Mr. Tunnell's passing and had to write something.

Tammie Drewry

August 13, 2020

My condolences to you all. I remember Mr. Tunnell as the Best Band director EVER! He was so inspirational and we all loved him. RIP

Nelda Schreiber

August 10, 2020

I have known John for quite some time. He was a customer of mine at Trott's Pharmacy for more year than I can remember. He was also a neighbor. I never saw John that he did not have a smile on his face, he was a kind man. Never seemed to be in a hurry. Always had time to listen.

Bert Neely

August 10, 2020

Saddened by the loss of my first cousin, John. Regina and I send prayers and best wishes to all.

Kitty Thompson

August 10, 2020

John was truly a wonderful person and always had a smile. I'm so glad to have known him.

Richard Young

August 10, 2020

A good man, great musician, proud warrior and friend. Thank you sir for your service. Rest In Peace.

Tom Neely

August 10, 2020

Jennifer, I was sorry to hear of John Lee's passing. In our time as children we spent time together at the Baker Family Reunions and then much later again at family reunions from which I have retained a number of group photos. Our parents were very close so we have "been in touch" for a long time. I hope you can fall back on all the great memories with John. Our prayers are with you and the family.

Tammie McClain Lively

August 10, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Karlene Boucher

August 10, 2020

My sympathy to Jennifer, my colleague from Hardin, and to the family. As a WF area musician, we have lost a jewel and a great mentor in our community of musicians. God bless you.

Martha Shaffer Thompson

August 9, 2020

Fond memories from our High School Days.

Jim Phillips

August 9, 2020

Jennifer, you and your family are in my prayers.

Bob Hamblin

August 9, 2020

John enjoyed life and gave his big heart to his family, the Shrine and to his friends. He was a great friend, I will miss him.

Scot Green

August 9, 2020

John was a great man, teacher and mentor. Honored to have worked with him at McNiel and Rider. Prayers to family and friends. What great memories you all we have to comfort you through the years. RIP John.

Kay Merkel Boruff

August 9, 2020

John, we shared four years of WFSH Coyote Band. We shared Vietnam memories 68-70. We shared Shriner memories with my father Pat Boruff. You only made musician extraordinaire. You will be missed. Prayers of strength and understanding to your family and friends.

Gene & LaDell Freudenberg

August 9, 2020

We were so saddened to learn of the death of our friend John. Gene & I send our deepest sympathy to you Jennifer and the entire Tunnell family. We share so many memories over the years that we have known you and John. There will always be a special place in our hearts for the two of you. May God hold you close during this difficult time.
LaDell and Gene

Lane & Tanna Anderson

August 9, 2020

Jennifer, Kendyl & family , praying for you and your family during this time. John will be missed

Brandy Fox

August 9, 2020

Prayers to his wife and family, his masonic and shrine family and his students.. Mr. Tunnell was one of a kind. He was a special band director and one of my favorite teachers.. He taught many kids many lessons.. He will be missed. Thoughts are with his family

Diane Burnett

August 8, 2020

John was a friend when we were in High School. We belonged to St. Mark's Methodist MYF group. Our group always had a lot of fun together during those year. After losing touch with each other for years, we recently reconnected and found our group again. Those yearly lunches have been special to all of us and we have enjoyed John and Jennifer. He was always fun to be with and will bed greatly missed.

Frankie Spikes Simons

August 8, 2020

John was a fellow Bellevue Eagle during his father's tenure as superintendent at Bellevue ISD. He was friendly, and always ready to participate in activities. I remember hearing he and Max preform with the symphony in Wichita Falls as an accomplished musician. Our nation will be forever grateful to him for his service during Vietnam. To all of the family, my deepest sympathy, and prayers for God's comfort and peace be with you though out the difficult days ahead.

Cliff and Mary O'Neal

August 8, 2020

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always. John was a true Marine warrior who served his country with distinction and honor. John was a professional educator who influenced many lives. May he rest in peace.

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