David Edward Tinker

David Edward Tinker went home to be with our Lord and Heavenly Father the morning of January 20th, 2026. David was born on March 2nd, 1962, in Los Angeles and grew up with his 2 brothers and a sister in Bonita, CA. After graduating from the class of 1980 from Christian High, he attended San Diego State University to obtain his BS in Biology. He later moved to Chico, CA, and acquired his teaching credential. Dave was in his 35th year teaching at Corning Union High School, where he taught Science and Natural Resources. Driven by a heart for science and education, David was a passionate, inspirational teacher who insisted on hands-on learning. Oftentimes, he would bring some form of nature into the classroom or mentor and educate his students out in the field. He had a willingness to listen and make people feel seen, student and colleague alike, which will forever be remembered. Dave’s enthusiastic presence in life shined on campus during spirit week dress-up days with some truly iconic costumes, helping foster a sense of school pride and connection with students. Among Dave’s many passions were learning and teaching the Natural history of local areas. Dave was a docent at Dye Creek Nature Preserve since 1993, where he led multiple hikes taking his Natural Resource students every spring. Teaching and passing on information to anyone who would listen. Dave never met a stranger. He was kind, boisterous, curious, and always loved to share a story or a piece of information, especially about birds or the natural world. You could count on him to always point out some unique bird, bug, plant, or animal. Always in awe at God’s beautiful creation and how it all seamlessly fits together. He felt it was his duty, God gave him to help care for the wild birds that came into his care that were injured or orphaned. Often he would go on a bird rescue call to relocate a lost nestling to its nest or capture a bird that was injured with the goal of releasing it back into the wild after sharing the experience with students in the classroom. David was a dedicated and loving husband and father who was so proud of his family. He shared 24 years of marriage with his wife, Holly, and made her dreams his own. He loved guiding and watching his children grow into amazing young adults and celebrating their successes and accomplishments with them and the little farm they all built together. He laughed about growing up a city boy; he’d never imagined he'd be tasked with being a farmer. As his children grew and were involved in an array of activities from 4-H to sports, he was a youth coach for multiple sports teams like Wrestling, Little League, and Basketball. Wrestling stuck for him though through all the years, and he was proud to help manage the Corning Sharks wrestling club. He had such a positive effect on the Corning community and beyond, and will be greatly missed. 14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3 David is survived by his wife, Holly; children, Jeremiah Tinker, Josephine Tinker; siblings, Phillip (Dawn) Tinker, Andrew Tinker, Pamela Johnson, and Kim Berling. He is preceded in death by parents Gerald “Tim” Tinker, Ruby Tinker, and birth-mother Mary Jean Berling. Celebration of life services will be held at Corning Union High School on Saturday, April 25th at 11am

David Edward Tinker

March 2, 1962 - January 20, 2026

Navigation

Address

Contact Us

David Edward Tinker

March 2, 1962 - January 20, 2026

Navigation

Address

Contact Us

365 Days of Grief Support