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Goodbye, friend

Community mourns death of Jim Tunall

LEWISTOWN — Community advocate.

Businessman. Leader.

Father. Husband.

Gardener. Gourmet.

These and many more words describe Jim Tunall, who died Tuesday morning. But probably the best description of them all is simply “friend.”

Tunall, the president and executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, spent this summer and fall fighting a long, valiant but ultimately unsuccessful battle to recover from a stroke he suffered earlier  this year. He is survived by his wife, Judy, and daughter, Olivia.

“There are no words to express the deep loss our Juniata River valley has experienced in the loss of Mr. James E. Tunall,” Rhonda S. Moore, who has been serving as acting director of the chamber during Tunall’s illness, said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon as word of his death spread through the region.

“His love for his community was evident to everyone who had the privilege of making his acquaintance. He knew no strangers and always had a story to tell. The bench in his office was as much a therapist’s couch as it was mere seating,” she said.

“Numerous business and community leaders relied on Mr. Tunall’s extensive knowledge and amazing memory for needed information. He had the vision and ability to make things happen, most often benefiting his beloved community.

“He was often found in front of the microphone in the emcee

position, and was skilled at working the crowd. To say he will be missed is a gross understatement. Mr. Tunall, you will always stand head and shoulders above the rest in our memories,” Moore said.

Jenny Barron Landis, project coordinator for the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau, also had kind words for her coworker.

“Jim wasn’t born here, but he held more hope and promise for this community than most people who spend their entire lives here,” she said.

“The Visitors Bureau has lost a friend and leader, and the Juniata River Valley has lost its chief advocate,” Landis said.

Long before taking the helm at the chamber, Tunall was already active in the community.

Although he was born in Kane, a small community in western Pennsylvania, his heart had been in the Juniata Valley since he moved here 47 years ago.

“I’m not a native, but I got here as quick as I could,” was his favorite quote, noted on his Facebook page, and printed on a plaque hanging in his office in the Mifflin County Historic Courthouse.

Tunall moved to Lewistown in October 1969, taking a room at the Hotel Lewistown as his first home, full of optimism and the hope of starting his life as a successful businessman after leasing the shoe department at the brand new Bon Ton department store on Market Street.

Things don’t always work out as planned, but Tunall was always able to adapt to change. When his venture at the Bon Ton proved unsuccessful, he bought the shoe store across the street. When that didn’t work out, he switched merchandise to gifts, and operated The Market Street Peddler, then The Courtyard on North Main. Eventually, he landed in the advertising sales department at The Sentinel before finally finding his niche at the chamber in 2005. It was as if his early experiences primed him for the job as chamber director.

Along with his business ventures, Tunall became and remained very active in the community, joining the  Jaycees, the Lewistown Kiwanis Club, and the Rotary Club of Lewistown. He was an active member and officer of the Lewistown Area Business Association (now called Downtown Lewistown Inc.),  the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, along with several other organizations and boards of directors.

And Tunall didn’t just sit idly through the meetings of those organizations. He became very active planning and participating in events to better the community.

If residents of the Juniata Valley didn’t know Tunall, they certainly knew something of his contributions — Goose Day, RiverFest, Fourth of July fireworks and the Festival of Ice, just to name a few.

Fireworks in downtown Lewistown have been a tradition for more than 50 years, a tradition that was dear to Tunall’s heart. Annually he took on the task of raising funds to finance the event because he knew that the thousands of local residents who enjoyed the show each year probably could not travel to another town to celebrate the Fourth of July. It was his desire to present an appropriate celebration right here in the Juniata Valley.

Cher Harpster, president of the Lewistown Rotary Club, is one of many this week who have been eager to recognize Tunall’s contributions.

“The Juniata Valley has suffered a great loss with the passing of Jim Tunall. Our area had no greater fan and supporter than Jim,” she said.

“I have so enjoyed his friendship and support over the years, and learned so much about how to really give back to my community,” Harpster said. “He was an inspiration to me, showing such energy and enthusiasm for all things related to our community. He will be missed greatly.”

She’s not the only one who feels that way.

“I’ve often said Lewistown is fortunate to have several shining stars in key leadership positions in Mifflin County. The brightest of those stars has been Jim Tunall and his dedication and love of his adopted home town,” said Jon Zimmerman, DLI president. “Since he moved to Lewistown many years ago, he has worked tirelessly to make our community better. His efforts have been a job well done.”

DLI Executive Director Jim Zubler concurred.

“Jim was the embodiment of community. He lived his life caring about his  adopted citizens and truly enjoyed interacting with everyone, even if he didn’t necessarily agree with your opinion or position,” Zubler said. “I think he felt he gained something from that exchange and was the better for it.”

Zubler and Tunall also had a long history and friendship together.

“I first met Mr. Tunall when he and a contingent of Lewistown business persons visited Danville, where I was chamber director, to learn about the programs and services that had been employed to help revitalize the community. I could tell then that he was astute, yet friendly, and I enjoyed talking with him,” Zubler said.

Zubler also said he felt privileged to have worked and served with Tunall as a friend and colleague in a variety of capacities, whether it was as proprietor of the Market Street Peddler, a director of Downtown Lewistown, Inc., serving together on a host of community committees, boards and organizations, as a fellow Rotarian, and, of course, as chamber president/visitors bureau director.

“We shared stories and experiences, enjoyed our successes, and commiserated on our not-so-great exploits,” Zubler said. “Being so integrally involved in the interworkings of community development, we would strategize on ways to encourage people to realize their potential and, in turn, become better citizens and community leaders themselves.”

“I feel a great sense of loss, but am inspired by his passion for community. I express my deep sympathy to Olivia and Judy, but hope the spirit of Jim continues with them in their lives for many years to come,” he said.

Tunall also inspired officials from Community Partnership RC&D. Executive Director Sam Price looked to him for direction, stating that when you needed to know something, you went to Tunall.

“He was the go-to guy. It’s a huge loss for our community,” Price said. “Nobody else like him; he’s one of a kind. He will be missed for sure.”

Retired RC&D Director Larry “Rock and Roll” Schardt, said he shares the passion for community held by his late friend and offered a more intimate look at how Tunall touched his life.

“I first met Jim while working on a project together, to improve downtown Lewistown. Our mutual love for community created an instant and unbreakable bond. We became best friends,” Schardt posted on his Facebook page and invited The Sentinel to use in this article.

“I was blessed to celebrate the holidays and Christmas Eve dinner with him and his fabulous family — my family away from home,” Schardt recalled.

“One of the most touching moments in my life was when I first went to visit Jim in intensive care. He could barely talk or move. I did my best to liven him up with stories and jokes, without much reaction.

“But when I left, he seemed to muster every bit of strength and flash me a (wobbly) peace sign and whisper, ‘Rock and Roll’ … a moment I’ll treasure for all my days,” Schardt said.

In his work with the chamber, as a business leader and as an active member of many local organizations, Tunall often encountered and worked with government officials. They all remember him fondly.

State Sen. Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, said, “Jim Tunall was one of those rare individuals who truly loved his job. You could see that in the excitement on his face and in his voice. He enjoyed the work he was doing and was dedicated to making our community and our region a better place to live.”

“He was willing to try new things in order to promote our area and way of life that so many of us love,” Corman said. “I have every confidence that his legacy will continue through the chamber staff that he praised often for their ongoing work to make the Juniata Valley a better place. Jim will be sorely missed.”

Lewistown Mayor Deb Bargo also commented: “I am so thankful for the wonderful times that I shared with Jim and for the many ways that he has touched my heart.  His love for the Juniata Valley and the folks who reside here was very evident in all that he did. We have been truly blessed to have had him in our lives and we’ll miss him more than words can express.”

On the county level, the commissioners in Mifflin and Juniata counties recognized Tunall’s value to the communities they govern.

“Jim Tunall loved our area and he loved people, and it showed in his daily life,” Mifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish said. “He was a true treasure for the Juniata River Valley, and all his friends will miss him terribly. I will always be appreciative of the kindness and support he provided to me.”

“When you talked to Jim he always made it seem like everything was going to be fine — no matter the situation. I know whenever I see the beautiful ice sculptures in December or the wonderful fireworks lighting up the July 4th holiday sky, I will always think of Jim Tunall and his tremendous contributions to our community. We have all been fortunate to have Jim Tunall in our midst. Prayers to Judy and his family and coworkers,” Kodish said.

Commissioner Steve Dunkle described Tunall as “a born leader whose enthusiasm for his work and love of our area were evident with every breath he took.”

“His passing leaves a tremendous void in our area. My heart aches and my prayers are with Judy and his family,” Dunkle said.

Commissioner Lisa Nancollas acknowledged Tunall’s warm spirit, saying, “Jim was a special person, because he loved everyone and genuinely cared about the world.”

Mifflin County Planning Director Bill Gomes also praised Tunall as a friend and colleague of many years.

“He has been a tireless advocate for improving our community. His efforts at turning around the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau are remarkable in terms of increasing membership and making (them) active community partners,” Gomes said. “There are not enough kind words to say about him, and we are all saddened by his passing.”

In Juniata County, Commissioner Alice Gray spoke for the board: “With sympathy for the family and fond memories of Jim, the Juniata County Commissioners will always remember the accomplishments he made in promoting tourism and public events in Juniata County. We hope the progress he helped drive forward for tourism in our area, during his life, is a comfort to his family.”

Tunall himself had attributed his passion for community involvement to spending his formative years as a Boy Scout, an organization in which he found solace and direction after his father died, when he was only 10 years old.

Tunall elaborated during a speech he made in 2015, as the recipient of the Good Scout Award from the Shawnee District Juniata Valley Boy Scout Council.

“I have a very personal reason  to be pleased to receive this honor, and it’s to profess my gratitude to the Boy Scouts of America,” Tunall said during the awards dinner.

He said scouting held a special place in his heart because after the death of his father, he became an only child in an empty house because his mother had to work. During that time, he was vulnerable to many outside influences.

He credited the fundamentals he learned from Boy Scouts with helping him to excel in other organizations as he matured.

His love for community also came through in his address to the Mifflin-Juniata Career and Technology Center (now called the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology) Class of 2014. Tunall urged students who stay in the area to “become a good will ambassador for the area. Trust me, the more you seek, the more you will find. The more you talk about the assets of the area, the more joy you will experience.

“I always planned to find happiness, and I continue to choose to be happy. That is my ultimate wish for you. Bring joy to all you do; in your career, in your home life, in your family, and in your hobbies and recreation.”

Based on the many words of tribute offered by community officials and business leaders, Tunall’s legacy is likely to be felt in the Juniata Valley for a long time to come.

“Jim would have wanted all of us to carry on with his energy and spirit; and, as we mourn his passing, we are grateful for the experience of knowing him,” said Rob Postal, president of the Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation. “Our community and we all personally lost a friend, and as a true friend, he made us all better.”

¯¯¯

A complete obituary for Mr. Tunall appears on page A6 of today’s edition.

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