Gary Lynn Tunnell

Gary Lynn Tunnell passed away on Friday, October 25, 2019, at his home in Dalton, Georgia, with his loving wife by his side.

Lynn was born in Kingsport, Tennessee on January 31, 1939, to the late Gilbert Rex Tunnell and Jessie Parker Tunnell and was preceded in death by his brother, Rex Tunnell.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lynnie Tunnell; sons and daughters-in-law, Bo Majors of Dalton, Mark & Heather Majors of Pendleton, SC, Andy & Kristin Tunnell of Birmingham, AL, Ben & Brandy Tunnell of Dalton and Miriam Majors of Tullahoma, TN. He is also survived by 10 wonderful grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Toby Atkinson of Fernanda Beach, FL and Martha Tunnell of Greeneville, TN; Colonel Tony & Mrs. Kay Lackey of Mt. Pleasant, SC; numerous nieces and nephews; the Husband-Majors of Tennessee; and his beloved caregiver, Marvin Jackson of LaFayette, GA.

Mr. Tunnell was born to humble means and excelled at baseball, playing on outstanding teams at Dobyns-Bennett High School and with the American Legion.  Lynn was told by major league scouts that he was as skilled as any player in the tri-States but lacked speed, which he attributes to an early onset of Multiple Sclerosis. Mr. Tunnell was the first in his family to graduate from college, graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1960.  He then volunteered for the Marines and completed basic training at Parris Island.  While in the Marine Reserves, he began working with Eastman Kodak where he quickly became so valued that they pulled strings to have Mr. Tunnell transferred to the Army so that he could focus more on his Eastman duties. He was selected to represent Eastman at the New York World’s Fair in 1965. Having worked for Eastman’s fibers division, Lynn was then recruited by various textiles-sales related firms, coming to Dalton in 1969 at the invitation of Lou Meltzer and Jim Reich. Ultimately, he joined Crane Textile and Chemical, representing suppliers to major carpet manufacturers. Eventually, Crane Textile purchased the Color Spectrum space dye facility in LaFayette, GA that was about to be shuttered - thereby maintaining the jobs of over 200 employees.

While physically able, Lynn was active in Dalton First United Methodist Church, his sons’ sports activities, and many charitable and evangelical organizations, sharing the Word to countless locally and around the world.  He was the proud tennis champion at Dalton Golf & Country Club for several years.

Mr. Tunnell was of the Old Breed.  If wronged, he would fight anyone, anywhere, including a highly motivated drill instructor at Parris Island.  He loved his family, his country, and his Tennessee Vols.  He was a man with clarity of vision, who accurately saw the world in black and white, right and wrong, and then acted accordingly.  He expected the same of others.  And he was a man of Great Faith, who was tested and tempered with the adversity of a crippling disease that removed his strength, athleticism, and (ultimately) his mobility but never wavered in faith in his Lord and Savior.

The family will receive friends at 1:00 on Friday November 1, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church of Dalton, with services to follow at 3:00. The family will then gather for a private graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Dalton, 500 S. Thornton, Ave., Dalton, GA 30720; the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, P.O. Box 2414 Dalton, GA 30722; or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2200 Woodcrest Place, Suite 230 Birmingham, AL 35209.