Donald Eugene Tunks, DDS

Donald Eugene Tunks, or Papa Don as he liked to be known by his granddaughters and anyone else, was born at home on August 29th, 1932 in Union Star, Missouri. He was raised in the Northwest Missouri countryside alongside his brother and two step brothers. He had a beloved dog named Blackie, and a goat named Buttons who used to kick him.

After graduating from King City High School, Don attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri and got a teaching degree. Throughout college he worked in the cafeteria to pay for room and board and earned extra spending money by cleaning a dentist’s office. He then enlisted in the army to serve in post-war Germany in communications and intelligence. Through hard work, Don earned privileges to travel around Europe and visit other countries when he was able.

Once he left the service, Don spent a year as a high school science teacher, and also worked as a librarian at the Downtown Kansas City Central Library. He then attended dental school at UMKC, where he was president of his class–ironically, he sold cigarettes on campus to help pay tuition. It was at UMKC that Don would meet his future wife, Alice “Lily” Glynos, who was studying on a Fulbright scholarship from France. Their marriage on December 26th, 1961 marked the beginning of a beautiful life full of family and world travel.

Don opened his own dental practice and served as one of Kansas City’s first pediatric dentists from his office on the Plaza until his retirement in 1997. He spent his retirement traveling the world and looking after his family, and there was never a better father or grandfather than Papa Don. He went to sports games and plays and even a school trip to Peru, where he climbed Machu Picchu the year he turned 80. He made sure his granddaughters visited France with Lily by organizing a trip there for their 50th wedding anniversary. He particularly enjoyed the French Caribbean and spending time at his second home in Vail, Colorado enjoying the mountains. He loved skiing, hiking, sailing, and tennis.

Papa Don was a faithful Christian and a dedicated parishioner of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, where he served many years as an officer and helped guide the process of building the current church on Wornall Rd. In 1998 and 1999, he served as Parish Council President. Beyond church, Don and Lily were patrons of the arts and spent many weekends at the ballet, theater, and opera, even bringing their family with them to enjoy the performances. Don and Lily were founding members of the Alliance Française, or National French Club chapter in Kansas City, and they were involved in the Rotary Club, Sertoma service club, the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric, and the Nelson Museum.

Papa Don was thoughtful, gentle, and kind. Everywhere he went he made friends, whether it was on the other side of the world or at his local grocery store. Being out in Kansas City with Papa Don always meant bumping into someone he knew, and he never forgot a name or a face. He loved his career as a dentist which meant he got to help children, and he was always looking out for everyone around him. In the winter months, it was Papa Don who would call around and make sure everyone’s tires were up to date and faucets were set to drip. He doted on his 4 granddaughters and taught them all how to swim, how to ski, and how to drive.

He was a hero to his country, but more than that he was a hero to us. He led by example and left his legacy in the lessons of kindness and generosity he demonstrated throughout his life. He had a special kind of humor, and always had a twinkle in his eye. Every Memorial Day, he would visit the cemeteries in King City and Union Star and plant flowers for his family and friends, and now we know he is with them.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Leora and Burke Tunks, stepfather Marvin Blair, brothers Phil Tunks and Marion Blair. He is survived by his wife Lily Tunks, daughter Marina (Tunks) Ganter, son-in-law Alexis Ganter, son John Tunks, daughter-in-law Susie Tunks, 4 granddaughters (Emma Tunks, Zoë Ganter, Naia Tunks, and Charlotte Ganter), step brother Frank Blair, and many cousins, nephews, and nieces. We will miss him every day. May his memory be eternal.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, August 30th, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 12001 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145, followed by a funeral at 11:00 am. Burial will be held at 2:00 pm at Mount Moriah Cemetery South, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don’s name to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Kansas City.