84R8030 BPG-D
By: Flynn H.R. No. 1520
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The 100th birthday of an esteemed Texan is indeed
cause for celebration, and Jean Wilson Tunnell of Van is marking
this significant milestone in her life on June 2, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Born in Denison in 1915, the former Jean Wilson is
the daughter of John and Helen Wilson; growing up on the family farm
near Ben Wheeler in Van Zandt County, she was active in 4-H and
advanced to state competition several times; as a teenager, she
rode her horse to Van High School, where she graduated as
valedictorian; and
WHEREAS, She worked her way through Trinity University and
went on to complete her master's degree at East Texas State Teachers
College; she taught in Colfax, Ben Wheeler, and Union Hill, and in
1942, she married Forrest Truman Tunnell; they settled in Dallas,
where she was employed for several years as a caseworker for
government benefit programs until the birth of a daughter, Joan,
and then a son, Forrest; and
WHEREAS, After the death of Mrs. Tunnell's father, her
husband bought out the other heirs to her family's ranch, and they
moved to Van in 1959; she returned to teaching three years later and
spent a dozen happy years developing innovative programs for
English students at Van High School; moreover, she coached
successful UIL contestants in spelling and essay writing and
chaperoned band members to out-of-town performances; and
WHEREAS, Jean Tunnell retired following the untimely passing
of Mr. Tunnell in 1974, but she continued to benefit her community
as a volunteer and as a member of the Van ISD school board; she also
taught a Sunday school class until she was 91; devoted to her
grandchildren, Rachel, Ellen, and Daniel Driver and Lauren and
Wesley Tunnell, she provided funds for their college educations and
set an example of independence and adventure by traveling to every
continent except Antarctica; in more recent years, she has known
the joy of welcoming nine great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, This cherished matriarch still resides in her
longtime home, which she shares with her granddaughter Ellen
Thompson and her three children; she keeps busy cooking, cheering
for the Cowboys and Mavericks, completing two daily crossword
puzzles, reading the editorial pages, and engaging in political
discussions; and
WHEREAS, A source of tremendous wisdom and inspiration, Jean
Tunnell has gracefully reached the century mark, and she continues
to enrich the lives of all who are fortunate enough to know her;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Jean Wilson Tunnell on the occasion
of her 100th birthday and extend to her sincere best wishes for
continued happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. Tunnell as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.