T. Tunison John

John Tunis Tunison, age 74, of Tunison Road died at Geneva General Hospital on Wednesday, September 6, 2017.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at Lake View Cemetery in Interlaken. The family asks those that would like to make a contribution in John❜s memory to kindly consider Vietnam Veterans of America or Catholic Charities USA.

John was born in Rome, New York on October 13, 1942 a son of the late John H. and Romayne (Carpenter) Tunison. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his step mother, Eleanor Tunison. He was raised in Interlaken, where his family has farmed since 1791 after receiving land in return for Revolutionary War service. He proudly served his country for 20 years in the US Army, rising from the enlisted ranks, through Officer Candidate School, to retire as a Major in 1981. He fought as an infantry commander in the Vietnam War during two tours of duty, with the Americal and 25th Infantry Divisions, winning several awards for gallantry as well as being grievously wounded. He earned a BA in Business Administration from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Following his retirement, John worked at a sporting goods store in New Jersey before returning to Interlaken to work the family farm. John was member of the American Legion Post 770 in Trumansburg, Interlaken Sportsmen❜s Club, and Seneca County Farm Bureau.

John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diane Tunison; three children, Julie R. Pleckan of Newark, David N. Tunison of Interlaken, and Jeffrey R. Tunison of Baltimore, MD; four grandchildren, Sierra and Kurt Pleckan and Benjamin and Liliana Tunison; three siblings, William ‶Bill″ Tunison of Washington, Philip Tunison of Florida, and Nancy DeMarte of North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.