Sam Van Tunks
 

News Examiner, Thursday, 1 April 1965, page 1

OFFICIAL DIES


Sam V Tunks, 77, well known Bear Lake county citizen, long time public official and a resident of Montpelier and Paris, died Monday evening in Salt Lake Cit following complications from circulatory ailments. Born December 3, 1887 at Ovid, he was the son of Isaac and Marie Larsen Tunks. His grandparents were early valley settlers. He graduated from Utah State University in 1913 with a degree in business and political science, and did post graduate work at the University of Utah. He was a high school teacher in Wayne County, Utah and Richfield Utah. In 1914 he became superintendent of the schools in Cokeville.

He married Inez Benson of Garden City in 1915 and subsequently entered business with his brother Seba R Tunks in Montpelier. During the 1920s the Tunks Brothers bowling alley and confectionary was a prominent business on Montpelier's main street. He was a member of the Montpelier City Council and baseball team manager.

In 1930 Mr. Tunks was elected Bear Lake county Clerk, Auditor and Recorder, a position he held by election for the following 32 years, longest tenure of any Bear Lake officer and exceeded only by a narrow margin of any Idaho office. He was a long time Democratic county chairman and state committeeman. He served as secretary of the Idaho Commissioner and Clerks association for 15 years. Mr. Tunks was active in the IOOP Enterprise Lodge No 18, Paris Lions Club, Rainbow Rod and Gun Club and Fifth District Wildlife Federation.

He also served with the Western Lands association. During World War II he was a member of the county Selective Board. He retired, undefeated, from public office in 1963, continuing his longtime insurance business. He was a member of the LDS Church.

He is survived by his widow, Inez B Tunks of Montpelier, and three sons, Homer V Tunks of Astoria, Oregon, Rodney B Tunks and Philip S Tunks, both of Salt Lake City, three grandsons, a granddaughter and two great grandchildren, one brother, Seba R Tunks of Idaho Falls. J William Jenson, a nephew reared by Mr. and Mrs. Tunks preceded him in death.

Funeral services, under the direction of Matthews Mortuary, will be held Friday, April 2 in the Montpelier Second ward chapel at 1 pm.

 

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