How does one start to describe a man like Scott Tunnicliff? It’s pretty easy for anyone who knew him well or any of his close family and friends. And while I’m doing my best to try and write this memorial for him, I could never truly describe in words the man that I loved so much to anyone else.
Ask anyone who knew him or loved him and they will tell you that Scott lived his life the way he chose to live it. He was full of adventure, always eager to learn new things, make new friends, and discover new places. For those who worked with Scott at FedEx Express for 35 years, they feared him at times, but loved him far more. In reference to the “fear” part of that statement, I’ll let you in on a little secret about Scott ~ his bark was always worse than his bite and if he really got mad at someone he was training; it was only because he took his job seriously. He felt responsible for the people he took under his wing and he wanted them to learn how to do the job safely and do it the right way….Scott’s way or the highway!
He started his career with FedEx in Great Falls, MT as a handler and over the next 35 years, he advanced his talents there occupying almost every position FedEx allowed. He was a handler, trainer, Ramp Agent, Truck Dispatcher, Dispatcher, and his final position with the company was that of a Customer Service Agent. He loved the people he worked with and considered them his second family. But beware, just because you were his second family, that doesn’t mean he would cut you any slack. He would wield his wrath if necessary, but you would only see it if he’d been pushed to his limit of tolerance. “Toughen up Buttercup”….that’s what he would say if someone was complaining about how tough he was on them. I’ve been told that his bosses actually thought “Scott” was the boss. Now that commands some respect, right?
Scott was extremely loyal to FedEx, never having missed work due to sickness or back pain which plagued him during his last few years with the company to the extent that he was literally wincing at times when he got home from work because his back hurt so badly. And the man was probably only late for work maybe one or two times during those 35 years, even when there were many times that he partied hearty the night before. He had a job to do and only he could do it the “right” way.
I shared his life for the past 24 years and I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful those years were. I literally did not know life could be so full of love. He didn’t have to try hard to make me love him, like everyone who knew Scott, it was easy to love him. I feel honored and VERY special to have been chosen by him to share his life. And though we never “officially” married, he couldn’t have been a better husband if we had signed that piece of paper that made it official in the eyes of Washington State.
During those 24 years, Scott showed me a world that I never knew existed up until the time we moved in together. We went on adventures ~ we saw a world outside of our everyday lives and we saw it together. He transformed the “house” that I lived in prior to the time when he moved in with me to the “home” that was always filled with love, laughter, fun, and LIFE! He loved to barbeque and have family get-togethers. And it didn’t matter whether we were barbequing at our house or the kid’s house, he was the man to take over the duties of barbequing.
Lindsey, his only daughter and only child, was the “apple of Daddy’s eye.” And he was SO PROUD of her, no matter where we were or what we were doing, if Lindsey showed up while we were there, she’s the only one he would stop an entire conversation for and PROUDLY say, this is MY DAUGHER Lindsey. I am blessed to have her in my life because she reminds me every day of how wonderful her father was, she has his smile, his eyes, his laugh, and his joy for life. And he knows she will always be there for me as I will be for her.
Scott also became a father figure to both of my sons Matt and Brian Cross and he was always proud to introduce them as his sons. They both loved Scott like a father and will miss him deeply as such. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Heather Cross, my son Brian’s wife who also loved Scott and would go to the ends of the earth for that man. It was always fun to watch those two banter with one another; in the end, Scott always won!
Scott is survived by two brothers who live in Great Falls, MT, Don Tunnicliff and his wife Linda Tunnicliff, and Ronald Tunnicliff; three sisters Sharon Kostoris who lives in Kent, WA, Linda Henderson-Green who lives in Illinois, and Jacqueline Lewis from Kalispel, MT. Scott also had a large number of nieces and nephews who will miss Uncle Scott. He loved kids and his greatest pleasure was teasing and ‘torturing’ them until they couldn’t help but love him back.
His family tree is full. Together we had 4 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Elijah Cross, Hannah Cross, Hailey Cross, Ethan Cross (grandchildren) Makaitlyn Cross and Skyler Cross (great granddaughters).
Scott was not a quitter, but in the end, the fight was too big for him to win. He will be missed deeply by many, many people. But we are ALL better people because we had the privilege of knowing him and loving him.
Scott was my first TRUE love, my best friend, the love of my life and I will never be able to fill the void that now exists in place of his warm touch and his loving heart. But I will forever remember the word that he first spoke to me and drew me to him like a moth to a flame. “Smile” you have such a pretty smile. I can hear his voice from Heaven right now telling me to “smile.” I will try honey, but I think it might take me a while. Please be patient with me.
Forever in my heart ~ Cindy
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