JOSEPH CHARLES TUNNICLIFFE
Joseph Charles “JC” Tunnicliffe, 67, died Nov. 20, 2018 at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Round Rock, Texas. He fought an epic battle with cancer over 6-and-a-half years and 76 rounds of chemotherapy before the Lord called him home.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary Lou Tunnicliffe; sons Loren (Nicole) and Ryan (Johnna) of Leander, Texas; grandchildren Andrew, Matthias, Claire, Cate, Blake (Courtney), Trinton, Lance, Cruz and Reagan; and great-granddaughter Braelynn.
He was born Dec. 7, 1950, in Alpena, Mich. to Arvin and Shirley Tunnicliffe and attended high school in Atlanta, Mich., where he played football and competed in cross-country skiing. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps and later moved to Texas where he worked for Lockheed before joining his spouse in a successful family business. He was a noted outdoorsman, a scoutmaster, a skilled builder and wood worker, and a gourmet chef. He collected and restored antique automobiles and toured the country in them. He was a man of God who quietly followed Jesus all of his days.
He was a champion Spitzer player.
He is perhaps best known for his warmth and generosity. He once built an addition on his house so that a homeless couple could live there. He would strike up conversations with strangers who would become lifelong friends. He was welcomed and embraced by people across the United States, from Woodward Avenue in Michigan, to dusty desert towns in Arizona, to the beaches of the Gulf Coast. He enjoyed a drink and a smoke, good food and a good joke. He loved people, and people loved him.
Viewing will be held at Beck Funeral Home in Cedar Park, Texas, from 2-6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 with memorial service at 6 p.m. Viewing will be held at Leer Lutheran church in Leer, Mich., from 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018; memorial service and committal will follow at 11 a.m.