I first felt drawn to the story of James W. Tunie because his life reads like a quiet blueprint for service. Born on July 11, 1927, in Rochester, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, he grew up as one of seven children to Rev. Dr. Edgar Price Tunie and Effie D. Tunie. That early foundation shaped everything. By age 14, in summer 1941, he already worked and lived at a local funeral home while attending Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh. He graduated in 1945, enlisted in the U.S. Army for World War II service that same year, and returned home in 1946. Those numbers mark a young man who moved fast from boyhood to responsibility.
Early Years and the Spark of Purpose
James W. Tunie avoided stardom. He sought significance. His 1947–1948 GI Bill education at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science followed his Army discharge. He worked at Hay’s Brick Yard from 1948 to 1952 after graduating. Brick stacking built more than muscle. Builds patience. He apprenticed at McKeesport’s Frances A. Keith Funeral Home and worked nights at a Hill District hotel to make ends meet. Married Evelyn Hawkins in 1954. His funeral director license came two years later, in 1956. Every move felt purposeful, like putting bricks for a generational home.
His early path resembles the man himself: steady, unflashy, always ready for the next load.
Founding the Family Business
In 1960 James W. Tunie opened Tunie Funeral Home, Inc. at 1116 Amity Street in Homestead, Pennsylvania. The address later changed to 218 East 11th Avenue as the business grew. He and Evelyn ran it as a true family operation. She graduated from mortuary school and became a licensed director herself in 1968. Their six children grew up inside the walls of the funeral home, which doubled as their living space. That setup demanded closeness. Meals happened near caskets. Conversations turned to grief and healing. The home served Homestead and surrounding African American communities for more than five decades. James handled arrangements with a reserved compassion that often meant providing services without immediate payment. Families never forgot that kindness.
Family Ties That Shaped Everything
James W. Tunie and Evelyn raised six children together. Their bond survived challenges, including a later divorce, yet they stayed devoted companions until his final days. Evelyn cared for him through illness with the same quiet strength she showed in the business. To me their partnership stands as the quiet engine behind every achievement.
Here is a clear table of the immediate family members and what defined them:
| Family Member | Relationship | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Evelyn E. (Hawkins) Tunie | Spouse and companion | Married in 1954; licensed funeral director in 1968; active partner in the business and devoted caregiver |
| Terri L. (Tunie) Reed | Eldest daughter | Born around 1955; passed away in 1992 |
| James W. Tunie Jr. | Son | Oldest surviving son; married to Maryann Bola Tunie; now owner and president of Tunie Funeral Home |
| Linda (Tunie) McGhee | Daughter | Married to Gary McGhee |
| Tamara Tunie (Generet) | Daughter | Born March 14, 1959; actress known for roles in Law and Order: SVU and As the World Turns; married to Gregory Generet |
| Stacey Tunie | Daughter | Part of the six children raised in the family business |
| Michelle (Tunie) Lockley | Daughter | Married to Gregory Lockley |
Career Milestones That Built a Legacy
James W. Tunie logged more than 50 years as a licensed funeral director. He started small, impressed a mentor at age 14, and turned that spark into an institution. The business supported long term staff members such as Mr. Jenkins and moved locations as demand grew. In 2012, shortly before his death, the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association honored him at its 75th annual conference. That recognition capped a career spent serving the Steel Valley region with consistency.
I count the milestones this way: 1941 first job, 1956 license, 1960 founding, 1968 Evelyn joins full time, 2012 honor. Each date anchors a chapter of quiet progress.
The Personal Side and Community Anchor
James W. Tunie was guarded but warm. He understood duty as an Army veteran. His faith grounded him too. In Munhall, Pennsylvania, Homestead Cemetery holds his remains after his funeral at Clark Memorial Baptist Church in Homestead. He died at 85 in the town he served for decades, surrounded by family, on December 15, 2012.
His daughter Tamara has freely discussed growing up in the funeral home. She remembers church choir, high school band, and dancing training. Her acting career was shaped by her family business experiences. The other children followed their own paths but embraced their father’s principles. I see the Tunie family as an example of how one man’s service affects generations.
Extended Timeline of a Life Well Lived
I put together this timeline to capture the full arc in dates and numbers. It shows how one life built something lasting.
- July 11, 1927: Birth in Rochester, Pennsylvania.
- Summer 1941: Begins work at age 14 in a local funeral home.
- 1945: Graduates high school and enlists in the U.S. Army.
- 1946: Completes military service.
- 1947 to 1948: Attends mortuary science school on the GI Bill.
- 1948 to 1952: Works at Hay’s Brick Yard.
- 1954: Marries Evelyn Hawkins.
- 1956: Earns funeral director license.
- 1960: Founds Tunie Funeral Home, Inc.
- 1968: Evelyn becomes licensed director and joins the business.
- 1950s to 1960s: Six children born, including Tamara on March 14, 1959.
- 1992: Daughter Terri passes away.
- 2012: Receives national association honor; dies December 15 at age 85.
- 2012 to present: Business continues under son James W. Tunie Jr.
Those entries stretch across 85 years yet feel compact because every phase served the next.
FAQ
Who exactly was James W. Tunie?
James W. Tunie was a longtime funeral director and founder of Tunie Funeral Home, Inc. in Homestead, Pennsylvania. He dedicated over five decades to helping families in the African American community with compassion and dignity.
How large was his immediate family?
He and Evelyn raised six children and welcomed ten grandchildren. The family includes daughters Terri, Linda, Tamara, Stacey, and Michelle, plus son James Jr.
What made his business unique?
The funeral home doubled as the family residence. Everyone worked together, and James often provided services without requiring upfront payment, creating a reputation for generosity.
When did key career moments happen?
He earned his license in 1956, opened the business in 1960, and saw Evelyn join as a licensed director in 1968. The home operated successfully for more than 50 years.
How did his work influence his children?
All six children grew up immersed in the funeral home environment. Daughter Tamara, born in 1959, has publicly credited that upbringing with shaping her empathy and work ethic in her acting career.
Where does the family legacy stand today?
The Tunie Funeral Home continues under James W. Tunie Jr. as owner and president. Evelyn remained close to James until his passing in 2012, and the extended family keeps the values of service alive in Homestead.
