Bernard Kent Tonnies

Kent was born in Colony, Mo., on July 15, 1930 to Ralph Edward Tonnies and Mary Albina Bozarth. As a child he grew up in the rural farm community of Edina and Colony, Mo., on his family's farm. His elementary education was in a one room school house. He later attended Knox County High School where he excelled in athletics. He lettered and played varsity baseball and basketball all four years.

After graduation in 1948, Kent caught the attention of the St. Louis Cardinal scout and was offered a position on their minor league team. Responsibilities to his family precluded him from pursuing that life long dream.

At twenty he left the farm and moved to Ventura, California where he was blessed to meet and fall in love with his sweetheart and wife of 58 years, Dorothy Rhoda Goodman. Kent, along with his best friend and brother-in-law, Alfred Cecil, were co-owners and operators of Cecil-Tonnies, Incorporated for over twenty years. In 1977 he sold the business to further his education, attending Cypress College in Orange County. There he received his degree in Mortuary Science.

Kent became a Funeral Director for Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Charles Carroll Funeral Home until his retirement in December of 1982. A very religious man, Kent was an active member of the Ventura First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Kent served for many years as a Explorer Leader in the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Kwinas East Club of Ventura. His love for baseball continued throughout his lifetime. His hobby was gardening, specializing in ornamental floriculture. He was well known for his prize winning begonias, fuchsias, ferns and orchards.

He is preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Katie Christine Tipton.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters Stacey Tipton (Dave), Christine Ayer, sons: Bernard Tonnies, Jr. (Beatrice), Matthew Tonnies (Carol), Montgomery Tonnies. Twenty-two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Numerous nieces and nephews.