Former Mukilteo Councilman Howard “Tony” Tinsley, of Mukilteo, Washington, passed away on October 31, 2024. He was a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Friend, Marine, Doctor of Psychology, Councilman, World Traveler, Mentor, and so many other titles held over his 84 years. His sharp wit, relaxed demeanor, and warm presence will forever be missed by his friends and loved ones.
Tony was born in Iola, KS, to Howard and Fannie Jane Tinsley. After graduating from high school, Tony joined the United States Marine Corps, following which he pursued his education, completing his baccalaureate studies and master’s degree in psychology at Western Washington State College and then obtained his Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.
He enjoyed a distinguished career in the field of psychology, becoming an internationally recognized expert on leisure and vocational psychology and a leading authority on expectations about counseling and research methodology. He spent the bulk of his career at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where he was director of the doctoral training program in counseling psychology.
He married his beloved wife, Diane Tinsley in 1967. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage. Together, they had two daughters, Kelly and Laurel, in whom Tony took immense pride. Family was incredibly important to Tony, and we will take comfort in our warm memories of all the holidays, birthdays, special occasions and normal days spent together while he was here with us.
In their retirement, Tony & Diane moved back to the Seattle area where Tony had spent most of his childhood. He served two terms as a member of the Mukilteo, Washington City Council and served on multiple nonprofit boards.
Tony was preceded in death by: his Mother and Father, Fannie and Howard; sisters, Morana and Loretta; plus many other relatives and friends.
He is survived by: his wife, Diane; two daughters, Kelly (Peyton) and Laurel (Fred); three grandchildren, Brandon (Jackie), William, and Lily; four siblings, El Tora, Richard, Jimmie, and Stephen; and many other cousins, nieces, nephews, colleagues, students, and friends.
A memorial service will be held in July 2025. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in his name, he supported many organizations during his life, including: Friends of the Mukilteo Library [https://www.sno-isle.org/locations/mukilteo].
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
