Leonard P. "Chuck" Tinsley

Leonard "Chuck" Tinsley, 72, wildlife biologist, military veteran, avid genealogist, fisherman and former rodeo bull rider passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, December 12, 2009. He was born in El Reno, OK, son of the late Paul and Opal Tinsley, brother to Bob Tinsley of Apple Valley, CA, sister Opal Seabolt of Tulsa, OK, and brother Chrys Tinsley of Tahlequah, OK. After graduating from El Reno High School, he served two years in the US Army followed by four years in the US Air Force where he met his future wife Betty. Following an honorable military discharge, they married and moved to Eureka, CA where Chuck graduated with honors from the University of California - Humbolt with a degree in wildlife biology. Chuck worked 32 years as a wildlife biologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1976 they moved from Vancouver, WA to Sterling, VA where they lived for twenty years with son James and daughter Nicole. After retiring to Fort Smith, he spent the last 10 years working in the Genealogy Department of the Fort Smith Public Library.He is survived by his wife Betty of 45 years, son James Tinsley of Princeton, NJ, daughter Nicole Stewart of Allen, TX and 4 grandchildren Nicholas Tinsley, Eve Tinsley, Norah Tinsley and Zachary Stewart.Graveside services will be conducted by Father Thomas Elliott at 2 pm December 18, 2009 at the US National Cemetery in Fort Smith with military honors under the direction of Fentress Mortuary.Friends are invited to come by the funeral home, at their convenience, between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday thru Thursday, to pay their respects.Please sign the online guestbook at fentressmortuary.comIn lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chuck's memory to the St. Edward Mercy Hospice 7301 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72903 or Fort Smith Public Library Department of Genealogy 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, 72903.