Bert Thomas Tunnell II

Tom Tunnell, 82 of Piedmont, passed away on October 23rd. He was born on August 21, 1941 in Oklahoma City, OK. Tom was a force of nature known for his generosity, humor and endless supply of one liners. He made it a point to give most people he met nicknames that had a tendency to stick. He had a unique way of making people feel seen. He was the ultimate “girl dad” long before it became a popular term.

 

Tom graduated from high school at NW Classen and attended OCU. He had a lifelong career in sales. As a young boy, he started a concession business at the Sportsman’s Club. He and his brother in law had a full service filling station in high school. After college, he went to work for Metro Goldwyn Mayer where he became one of the youngest film distributors in the history of the company. He later ventured into information storage, management and retrieval. He remained in that field until his retirement.

 

In his free time, Tom enjoyed spending time with his family, vacationing to various beaches and riding his Harley with friends. A perfect day for him was poolside with his family presiding over endless games of Jump or Dive and Dibble Dabble. He also loved motorcycle rides with friends participating in poker runs and rallies.

 

He is preceded in death by his father Bert Thomas Tunnell, Sr., his mother, Viola Tunnell Womastek and his sister, Nancy Tunnell Grindstaff. 

 

He is survived by his wife Diana Douglas Tunnell of almost 62 years. His daughters Tyler Tunnell Haley, Brook Tunnell Plank and her husband Dr. Ken Plank, Gabi Tunnell Noble and her husband Tommy Noble.

 

He was the proud grandfather of Hayden Black and his fiancé Libby Herzig, Cooper Black, his wife Meagan and their daughter Noah, Addison Plank Chappell and her husband Austin, Quincy Plank Rupnik and her husband Paul. Nick  Noble, Carter Noble and Madison Cooper. Emma Grace Haley and Griffin Plank. Step grandchildren Meredith Black Hammrick, her husband Blake, their daughter Vivian and Mason Haley. Nephew Rob Grindstaff, his wife Cynthia and their daughter, Megan. Brother in law Mike Douglas, his children Blake Douglas Lower and Cam Douglas. Nephew Craig Douglas, his daughter Jessica Douglas Adams and niece Nicole Douglas. He is also survived by many more nieces, nephews and cousins.

 

A come and go celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Sunday, October 29th from 3 until 6. 129 Deer Creek Road, Edmond, OK, 73012.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be to St. Jude Children’s Medical Research Hospital in Tom’s name