Alfred Eugene Tunell

Alfred Eugene Tunell, 94, of Homeland, CA died on November 3rd, 2025, with his son present as he passed into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.

Alfred Eugene Tunell, or Gene as he was known by all, was born on March 18th, 1931 in Centralia, WA to William B. and Alice M. Tunell.

Gene Graduated from Centralia High school in 1950. After his graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Albany until his honorable discharge in 1954. During his time in the Navy, he was stationed in San Diego, CA and Norfolk, VA. It was during his time in San Diego that one of his shipmates took him to their home and introduced him to their family, and his future wife.

Another highlight of his military service was that he got to serve with his brother, Bill, on the same ship. He enjoyed being with family, including his soon to be new family, during his military service time.

Gene Married Evelyn Janice Cox on June 15th, 1952, in Baldwin Park, CA with Rev Elbert Rankin officiating. Gene was discharged from the Navy in 1954, and he and Evelyn resided in the El Monte area until they bought a home in Baldwin Park, CA where they lived and raised their children. In 1955 Gene Started working for McConnell Cabinets in El Monte, Ca where he remained for the next 36 yrs. It was a cabinet shop where he operated an automatic saw that would cut panels for cabinets used in residential home construction for kitchens and bathrooms. 

Gene was a very loving father, husband, and Christian who loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He took his family to Sunday School and church services every Sunday. His beloved wife was able to bless him with four children. They were Karen Louise, Charles "Randy" Eugene, William Daniel "Dan", and Rick Allen. After 27 years of marriage, Evelyn passed away due to a stroke.

Gene was a very lonely man without a wife in his life and after a couple of years he married Shirley Evelyn Henderson (yes, he had a thing for the name Evelyn) on July 18, 1981, in Azusa, CA with Pastor Ed McGuigan officiating. Gene and Shirley lived in Covina, CA util 1996 when they moved to Mt. Shasta, CA.

After 31 years of marriage, Shirley passed away on May 29th due to an illness. In his second marriage, Gene gained three adult sons: Dale, Darrell, and Dennis Henderson. 

Gene loved sports, and by far his favorite sport was baseball. He was very active with his sons when they played little league too. His favorite baseball team was the Dodgers, and his favorite football teams were the Rams and Seahawks. He was fortunate to see every one of his teams win championships, which he was very happy about, including the most recent being the World Series Championship just won by his beloved Dodgers! 

Gene is survived by only one of his Children, William "Dan" Tunell (69)who was by his side on November 3rd, 2025, when he had a very peaceful passing at the nursing home. He had been staying there since he fell and broke his hip in Dec. 2023. Gene is also survived by two stepsons, Dale (73) and Darrell (71) Henderson.

Gene is also survived by two of his sisters, Mary Hoyt (93) and Dessie Canfield (90). He had five other siblings who have all passed on.- Kenny Trumble, Irene Canfield, Frances Ellis, William F. Tunell, and Robert "Bob" Tunell.

There are many others who wouldn't be here if it weren't for Gene. He had five grandchildren: Roy Gene Schuman (54) and Matthew Shawn Schuman (51), Cynthia Ann Edgmond (45), Elizabeth Lillian Tunell (37), and Kimberly Marie Tunell (37). There are also 16 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren, all from his first marriage. Because of his marriage to Shirley, there are many more grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren by marriage.

Gene outlived his two wives: Evelyn Janice Tunell who passed on August 15th, 1979, and Shirley Evelyn Tunell who passed on May 29th, 2012. Sadly, he laid to rest three of his children: Charles Randy Eugene Tunell on December 17th, 1992, Karen Louise Tunell on August 24th, 1999, and Rick Allen Tunell on February 28th, 2025. He also laid to rest his stepson, Dennis Henderson. 

The Celebration of Life will be held at a future date to be determined by the family.