Ed Tunnell Obituary

Truett Edwin Tunnell, 95, of Grand Saline, went to the presence of our Lord on May 7, 2023. Ed was born on February 11, 1928 near Terrell, Texas in the home of his maternal grandmother. He attended Grand Saline schools and graduated high school in 1945. Ed was blessed with a large family. He married his high school sweetheart, Wyndolyn Reid, in July of 1945. They were married 73 years before they were separated by death. They lived together in the Oakland community until they built their new home together in Grand Saline in 1998. In the early years after their marriage Ed worked at Murray Gin making shells and bombs for the U. S. Army. Ed received his orders to go into the Army in May 1946. His orders were to occupy and guard Japan after the U. S. 's victory. This assured continued peace after the war ended. Ed remembered vividly boarding the S. S. Marine Dragon with 2000 other soldiers and sailing to Yokohama, Japan. He was trained to operate antiaircraft half tracts that had four 50 caliber machine guns mounted on the back. He was a decorated veteran receiving the World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal Japan. Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. " Ed worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years. He remembers delivering mail through all of Dallas, Tyler and then moved to delivering in Grand Saline. He loved his routes and the community where he met people and served. He knew and remembered every route and major road, as they developed throughout the years. Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. " Ed was active with Oakland Baptist church with the youth and with Vacation Bible School. He also enjoyed many hobbies including farming and ranching, baling hay, rebuilding cars, and carpentry. In his later years, he loved watching westerns, sharing his stories with family again and again, while riding his golf cart. It is said that your legacy is not what you accomplish here on earth, but what you instill in the hearts of those left behind. As Psalms 78: 4 states, "We will not keep them from our children; we will tell the next generation about the Lord's power and his great deeds and the wonderful things He has done. " Ed is survived by his children Eddie Tunnell, Kathy and Don Sayers, and Daughter-in-law Theresa Tunnell, 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Other family include sister Virginia Ann Powers. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Lillie and Dee Roy Tunnell, wife Wyndol Tunnell, also known as Nynol, son Donald Tunnell, and daughter-in-law Phyllis Tunnell. 1 Peter 5:10 "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. "