Visitation will be from 3 – 7 p.m. Monday, August 7, 2017 at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, Indiana. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at Bailey-Love Mortuary with Rev. Jerry Felts officiating. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial will be in Marion National Cemetery with military graveside rites performed by VFW Post #2689 of Huntington.
Preferred memorials to honor those who served our country to VFW Post #2689 of Huntington or Disabled American Veterans, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, Indiana, 46750.
Tom was born March 14, 1942 in Andrews, the son of Claude M. and Aldah (White) Tullis. He attended Andrews High School and married Rita L. Hite on May 12, 1960 in Union Township. He retired after 26 years and one day of service in the United States Air Force, with no time lost. He served during the Vietnam War and participated in the Schiessen Schutz German shooting competition, earning bronze and silver medals. Medals he earned during his service include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, Distinguished-Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and three oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal with seven oak leaf clusters. He also earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters, NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Foreign Decoration, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Tom was a lifetime member of VFW Post #2689 of Huntington and DAV. He worked in Fort Wayne, driving truck for Cadillac Coffee for three years and Inland Distributing for 15 years. Tom and Rita enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, and traveling. He was a member of Travel Trailer Club of the Midwest in Michigan and a lifetime member of Good Sam Club. For 35 years, he was a member of the Deutche Camping Club in Germany. He and his wife were members of the Federation of International Camping and Caravanning (FICC), serving as Liaison Directors for five years. They were members of the National Campers and Hikers Association/DBA Family Campers & RVers, and they served as delegates to FICC representing the club and the United States for twenty years. He loved sports, playing basketball and baseball, and coaching little league. He also enjoyed bowling and won several trophies.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Rita L. Tullis of Andrews; a son – Thomas P. (Susan Renee) Tullis Jr. of Boerne, Texas; two daughters – Wendy Arnold of Marina, California and Rita L. (Troy) Kirkpatrick of Roanoke; a brother – Samuel N. (Pat) Tullis of Huntington; a sister – Janis Omstead of Warsaw; four grandchildren – Lori B. Arnold, Nancy L. Arnold, Nicholas S. Arnold, and Justin T. Tullis, and a great grandson, Evan St. Denis. He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Ellen Linden, and five brothers, James O. Tullis, Robert N. Tullis, Walter Tullis, Jack Tullis, Buddy C. Tullis.
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