Tom Nunan, Jr., Oceanside Civic Leader Dies at 79

There were few men who worked harder for the betterment of Oceanside than Tom Nunan, Jr. 

From helping a non-profit organization save a church on the verge of destruction, to raising millions of dollars to help expand and renovate the Oceanside Museum of Art, he always had his finger on the pulse of the city. 

Nunan died on July 14 from respiratory and renal failure at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, according to U-T San Diego. He was 79 years old. 

Born in Topeka, Kansas in 1933, but grew up in Kentucky the oldest of seven siblings. He married Billie Shriver in 1955, and his family traveled all over the country with Nunan as he forged his career in the energy industry. 

The Nunan's settled in Oceanside in 1989. According to U-T San Diego, Nunan "would become president of the Oceanside Museum of Art, president of the Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia board of directors, vice chairman of the Rotary Foundation, a member of the city’s Economic and Development Commission and chairman of the budget committee at St. Mary, Star of the Sea."

Nunan is survived by his wife and four children: Katie Nunan, Sally Sartor, Tom Nunan and Patrick Nunan; six siblings and six grandchildren. 

The newspaper reports that services have already been held. Donations in Nunan's honor can be made to the Oceanside Charitable Foundation, the Oceanside Museum of Art, the Old Mission at San Luis Rey, and St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church.