Carl Collis Tinnea Jr. was born May 2, 1943 in West Palm Beach, Florida. His parents did not yet know it, but Carl was born to serve the Lord, and he did so all his life. He was a lifelong minister who served for 54 years.  Christians in Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Oklahoma and Florida were blessed to be recipients of Carl's evangelistic spirit and his sharing of God's love. Carl developed an Evangelism Workshop that is still in use today. He will always be known for his wisely phrased question when meeting new friends, "Where do you go to church?"

He served in the Air Force for four years as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War.

Another part of Carl's life he was certain about from the beginning was when he met Mary. She was seventeen, and he was twenty-four, but Carl knew she was going to be his wife and called on her nearly every day during their courtship. They were married on May 31, 1968 and had a wonderful life together for 53 years.

Friends and family alike will greatly miss his love for life, passion for meeting people, dedication to his calling and perseverance in always telling the truth. They will remember his love for Alabama football, gardening and grilling barbecue chicken.

Carl left this world to be with his Lord on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at the age of 78 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Collis Tinnea Sr. and Nina (Bowerman) Tinnea and three brothers, David, Noble and Oren Tinnea.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Knox (Wooley) Tinnea of the home; three children, Christy and Jerrod Dumond of Cameron, Louisiana, Richard Carl and Jeanie Tinnea of Goose Creek, South Carolina and April and Larry Heitfeld of Breckinridge, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren, Dayna James, Angela and Blake Ferguson, Layton Heitfeld, CPL Morgan Dumond, Heidi Heitfeld, Emily Tinnea, Taelyr Dumond and Lauren Tinnea; four great-grandchildren, Zeus and Matthias James and Elizabeth and Gabriella Ferguson; one sister, Marie Hearty of Australia; his best friend since age 8, Fred Webster and wife, Jeanette of Lafayette, Louisiana; a special chosen family, Sophie and Barry and their children, Katy and Aliyah who considered him PaPa; extended family and friends.

Memorial donations may be made in honor of Carl to the American Cancer Society for Melanoma research or to one's personal home church.

Reverend Tinnea's life and home going will be celebrated Monday at 11 am at the First Christian Church in Wagoner. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Dennis Lake and the Rev. Dr. Richard Allen.

Viewing will be at 1-5 pm Sunday at Mallett Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 2-4 pm Sunday.