Jon Edward Tinsley November 3, 1936 – August 16, 2013 Jon was born on November 3, 1936 and lived in Mulat, Florida with his parents, Edward Arthur Tinsley and Bessie Dean McIver Tinsley. There were other family members who lived close by. Jon’s cousin, Ann Gatewood Sanders lived just across the street from him. They were only 2½ months apart in age and, throughout grade school and high school were often mistaken as brother and sister. His cousin, Kathryn Gatewood and her children, Toni, Karen and James Gatewood lived next door. Ed and Bessie Dean were like surrogate parents to the children and, to them, Jon was like an older brother. Jon attended a one-room school in grades 1-7, then Bagdad Elementary School in the 8th Grade, after which he entered Milton High School. He graduated from Milton High School in 1954. He married his longtime sweetheart, Helen Youngblood in 1958. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1959. Jon then began his career in chemical engineering and worked at places such as Chemstrand, Monsanto and Kimberly-Clark Corporation. He was a Research and Development Scientist and achieved many industry highlights. While working at Kimberly-Clark, such highlights included several patents for which he received “a dinner and a dollar”. Jon and Helen had two children, Helen Elizabeth, who they called “Beth” and Donald Edward, who they called “Edward”. Jon enjoyed his family, cars, boating, fishing, ham radio, and most recently flying. Jon and Helen were even Edward’s pit crew during Edward’s racing days. Jon spent many hours at the kitchen table helping Beth with math and science homework. He enjoyed working with his hands and taught his children the value of duct tape. Jon also enjoyed telling really bad jokes, and Helen was excellent at rolling her eyes at them. Jon was a devout Christian man and spent much time at church being a deacon, lay pastor and just helping others as much as he could. After 52 years of marriage to Helen, she died of cancer after battling it for three years. In 2011, Jon married Josie Gunn Sheffield. Josie had been in Jon’s class all through the school years and they were both Milton High School Class of ’54 graduates. Jon and Josie took flying lessons together, spending many hours at Peter Prince Airport in East Milton. They also spent time camping. Jon was lovingly received into the Gunn-Sheffield family. He quickly became co-host to the 50+ year traditional family/friend Peanut Boil at their home. Jon and Josie led a Christian Life Church weekly Bible study in their home. There will be a fellowship gathering at 2 pm followed by a memorial service at 3 pm at Christian Life Church, 4401 Avalon Boulevard, Milton, FL 32583, on Saturday, August 24th, 2013. The family will have a private burial at Bagdad Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to Christian Life Church or to the American Cancer Society. Please see www.lewisfuneralhomes.net