James O. Tule Jr.

James O. Tule Jr., 89, of Muncy, died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011, at the Muncy Valley Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit, where he resided the past year.

Born May 23, 1921, in Milton, he was the son of the late James O. Tule Sr. and Emma May (Taylor) Tule.

On Dec. 18, 1943, he married his wife of 66 years, the former S. Mildred Herald. She preceded him in death on April 10, 2010.

A 1939 graduate of Milton High School, James went on to study at Millersville University, where he received a B.S. in Education in 1947. He continued his education at Penn State University, University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and Colorado State University, earning a Master’s in Vocational Technical Education.

Jim’s career began as a wood shop teacher at Milton High School. There he soon discovered his passion for vocational-technical education. As an educator, and later administrator, he was instrumental in the development and implementation of the vocational-technical schools in Milton, Easton, Jim Thorpe,Montgomery County and Williamsport Area Community College. In 1974 he joined the faculty at Williamsport Area Community College, currently Pennsylvania College of Technology, where he served as the Dean of Secondary Education and as an Executive Assistant to the President until retiring in 1980.

Jim was a 60-year Mason, and a member of Muncy Lodge No. 299, Free & Accepted Masons and the Williamsport Consistory. He was a charter member of the Muncy Lions Club. As a young boy growing up in Milton, Jim was active in the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle.

Jim’s legacy lives on through his family. As an avid sportsman, he introduced his young boys to the joys of nature through hunting, fishing, boating and horseback riding. Jim and Milly’s love of the outdoors was shared with their sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At an early age growing up along the Susquehanna River, Jim and Milly envisioned the small weekend cabin to become their future homestead and the cornerstone of the Tule Family.

Surviving are three sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Teresa Tule of Muncy, Pa., James O. and Sharon Tule III of Burkeville, Texas, and David and Martha Tule of Muncy, Pa.; three grandchildren, Marc Tule of San Diego, Calif., Jennifer Tule of Houston, Texas and Sarah and Trevor Odom of Woodville, Texas; and great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Sydnie Odom.

The funeral was held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday at Grenoble’s, 121 S. Main St., Muncy. Officiating was Rev. David Culbertson, pastor of St. James Episcopal Church. Burial followed in Harmony Cemetery, Milton. Friends were received on Friday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. A Masonic service was held at 10:15 a.m.

The family provided the flowers and suggested contributions be made to Muncy Lions Club, 107 Quarry Road, Muncy, PA 17756, in memory of James O. Tule Jr.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grenoblefuneralhome.com.