Thad Owen Tunmire

Granite Falls, NC- Mr. Thad Owen Tunmire, age 82, of Granite Falls, passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at his residence. Born June 26, 1928, in Granite Falls, Thad was a son of the late, Atlas and Hettie Wilson Tunmire. He was Baptist by faith and was a member of Dry Ponds Baptist Church. He was a truck driver for 34 years driving for the Carolina Freight Transport. After his retirement, he went to Caldwell Community College where he served as an instructor of the truck driving training school. He was an army veteran serving as a Tech 5 in the 3rd Army Artillery during WWII. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Reva Hayes Tunmire; a sister, Sue Tunmire; and a brother, Fred Turnmire. Survivors include two daughters and sons in law, Gail and Howard Franklin and Joanne and Kenny Jennings; two sons and daughters in law, Larry and Susan Hayes, and David and Lori Hayes; two sisters and brothers in law, Clella & Don Sanders, and Faye and Paul Comer; his grandchildren, Michael Hayes, Andrew Hayes, Scott Jennings, Kristie Spurlin and her husband, Ricky, Kellie Whisnant and her husband, Tracy, Michael Butler, Michelle Bonorden and husband, Weylin; five great grandchildren, Justin Spurlin, Tyler Whisnant, Taylor Whisnant, Keelan Triplett and Wyatt Bonorden; a sister in law, Imogene “Babe” Turnmire; he is also survived by numerous other relatives. A celebration of Thad’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 4:00 PM at Dry Ponds Baptist Church with Dr. Rick Crouse and Reverend Doug Turnmire officiating. Interment will follow the service at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors. Serving as pallbearers will be Scott Jennings, Michael Hayes, Andrew Hayes, Tracy Whisnant, Ricky Spurlin, David Powell, Mike Swanson and Kyle Clontz. Honorary pallbearers will be Justin Spurlin and Tyler Whisnant. The family will receive friends from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Dry Ponds Baptist Church on Monday, April 11, 2011. Memorials may be sent to the Thad and Reva Tunmire Truck Driving Scholarship Fund through the Caldwell Community College. Online condolences may be sent to the Tunmire Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Tunmire Family. PDF Printable Version