John Randolph Tinnell, Sr.

John Randolph Tinnell, Sr., 83, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, husband of Virginia Nelson Tinnell, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 16, 2023. His memorial service will be held Friday, July 21, 2023, at St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Mount Pleasant, SC, 440 Whilden Street, at 1:00 PM. 

John was born January 11, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia, son of the late Reverend Lambert G. Tinnell and the late Gertrude Amos Tinnell. John attended Duke University on a football scholarship and played on the 1961 Cotton Bowl championship team. John was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in engineering. John then proceeded to Harvard Business School on a full academic scholarship where he earned a Masters of Business Administration. Mr. Tinnell spent the majority of his career in senior management positions across the pulp and paper industry with firms including Mead, Hammermill, Kimberly Clark, and Sonoco Products. 

John was an active member of St. Andrews Church for over 20 years. The St. Andrews Church family was a central part of his daily life, and he received great joy from his involvement in his church “Life Group” and “The Empty Nesters”. John was active in his weekly men’s prayer group who frequently held their Tuesday morning meetings on his back porch overlooking the marsh - his favorite place. John was also a lifelong donor and supporter of Asbury Theological Seminary, his father’s alma mater. 

John enjoyed the outdoors and a variety of sports including golf, tennis, and snow skiing. John skied until age 75 with a last trip to Breckenridge and Vail in 2015. John also enjoyed his motorcycle, a 1997 Yamaha Royal Star. He put over 100,000 miles on the bike with his last ride down to Beaufort, SC, just a few months ago. John will be remembered for his dedication to his Cotton Bowl teammates, his love for his family, and his love for Jesus Christ. 

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Tinnell; children, John R Tinnell, Jr. of Charlotte, NC, Virginia Mallard of Charleston, SC, Jennifer Tinnell of Tucker, GA, Elizabeth Tinnell Schuh and her husband Dean of Johns Creek, GA; grandchildren, Bentley Olson, Hunter Olson, Merritt Olson, and Robert R. Mallard III; and two brothers, Amos Tinnell of Davidson, NC, and Lambert Tinnell (Nancy) of Louisville, KY. 

In lieu of flowers - donations to St. Andrews Church Memorials may be made to St. Andrew's, 440 Whilden St., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, <https://standrews.church/give/>.