Eric Amos Tinnell

Eric Amos Tinnell, 43, of Farmville, VA passed away suddenly at his home on Monday, February 12, 2018. He was born on December 29, 1974 in Eden, NC, son to Lambert Amos Tinnell and the late Frances (Fran) Randolph Tant Tinnell.

Eric was a long-standing and involved member of the Farmville community. He attended Hampden-Sydney College and graduated in May 1997 magna cum laude. He was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), a prestigious national leadership honor society. While a student at Hampden-Sydney, Eric enrolled and completed the Emergency Medical Technician course. He became a firefighter with the Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire Department and an EMT with the Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad. While a member of the Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad, he became certified as an EMT-Cardiac Technician and was qualified to operate the agency’s Heavy Rescue truck. Eric served as both the President and the Captain of the Rescue Squad. In 1996, he ran 725 volunteer calls. He was instrumental in the construction of the agency’s new building in 1999.

Eric obtained his Law Degree from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond in 2000, graduating cum laude. In his 18-year practice as an attorney, he served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney from 2005-2009 for Fluvanna County and Prince Edward County. He was qualified to act as a Guardian ad Litem for both adults and children and worked frequently with the Department of Social Services. Eric was appointed as a substitute District Court Judge in 2015 for the Tenth Judicial Circuit while he maintained a private practice.

Eric is survived by his father, Lambert Amos Tinnell, his brother Michael (Stephen) Tinnell and wife Angie, his two nephews Matthew and Gavin, and his beloved dogs that were like his children, Cassie, Travis, and Amos Jr. He is also survived by many members of his extended family and devoted friends and colleagues.

A visitation will be held at Puckett Funeral Home (www.puckettfh.com), 115 Covington Road, Farmville, VA on Monday, February 26th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. A memorial service will also be held at Puckett the same evening at 5:30pm. On the following day, Tuesday, February 27th, a graveside service will be held at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery Park, 5970 Grassy Hill Road, Boones Mill, VA (north of Rocky Mount and just west of US #220) at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad, PO Box 87, Farmville, VA 23901 (www.princeedwardrescue.com), Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 328, Hampden Sydney, VA 23943, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals, 7352 Patrick Henry Hwy., Meherrin, VA 23954 (http://southsidespca.org).