Tandy Jeff Counce

Tandy J. Counce, Jr. died on January 2, 2011 at his home in Germantown. He was born in Corinth, MS on June 10, 1931, an only child, to Tandy Jeff and Luttie White Counce. At an early age his family moved to Munford, TN where he grew up. In 1948 he married his high school sweetheart, Sue Forbes. They moved to Memphis where he was employed by International Harvester. In 1962 when their first child was born, he decided that he wanted more income and he borrowed $10,000 to start his own business, Counce Marine, now in its 49th year. He continued to work at International Harvester until he retired with 30 years of service and thereafter devoted his full time to the boat dealership. He was joined full-time in the business by his wife in 1972 and together they were well-known and well-respected throughout the marine industry. He was a member of the Marine Retailers Association of America where he served on the board of directors. He was the first president of the Memphis Boat Dealers Association, the first president of the Memphis Boat Show, and a member of the Tennessee Marine Dealers Association. He also served on numerous advisory boards and dealer councils for various boat and motor manufacturers. Boating was the family pleasure as well as the family business and most summer weekends and vacations were spent on area lakes, mostly Pickwick. In 1995 they built a lake house at Pickwick which they enjoyed sharing with family and friends. He shared a love of travel with his wife, and together they were privileged to have visited 76 countries on 6 continents. It was often joked that he didn't always know where they were going before they went, or where they had been when they returned, but one thing was certain, he always had a wonderful time. He was a member of Colonial Park United Methodist Church and of the Fidelis Sunday School Class. He is survived by his wife, Sue, and two sons, Michael Forbes Counce and Eric Monroe Counce and his wice, Christy, three grandchildren, Cortney Hewitt Counce, Jacob Lee Counce and Saige Elizabeth Counce, and one step-grandchild, James Austin Crisp, and a daughter-in-law, Lisa Kreiger. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, January 4, at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Poplar Avenue and funeral services at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, at the funeral home with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests that any memorials be sent to Colonial Park United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Association , 326 Ellsworth Street, Memphis, Tn 38111. Memphis Funeral Home And Memorial Gardens 5599 Poplar Avenue 901-725-0100 www.memphisfuneralhome.net