James Russell Tanner

Graveside services for Jim Tanner, 88, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 at Fort Sill National Cemetery, with Chaplain Leonard Reimer officiating and under the direction of Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home, Wichita Falls. Military honors rendered by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.

Jim, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, went to be with his Lord on August 25, 2012, after a lengthy illness.

Jim was born August 20, 1924 in Lafayette, La to Lillian LeBlanc and James Walton Tanner. He grew up in Lafayette. He served in the Marine Corps in Okinawa during World War II, and then received his AA degree from Sunflower Junior College in 1948. After joining the USAF, Jim earned his BA in Psychology from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1952 and MS in Education from the University of Indiana in 1961. Jim retired in 1968 from the Air Force where he had earned the rank of Major and served as a Squadron Commander. Jim continued to serve his country through the Civil Service as a Guidance and Education Counselor at Brooks AFB and Fort Sill, where he retired in 1991. Jim was an active member and past-president of the Elks Lodge in Lawton. Jim enjoyed sports of all kinds, but especially loved football and saltwater fishing and crabbing. Jim will always be remembered for making the best seafood gumbo, outspoken conversation, genuine friendship particularly with his neighbors, Randy and Karen Palmer, and great devotion to his wife and family.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean (B.J.) Tanner, of Lawton; his son, Rusty Tanner and wife, Mickey, of Bridgeport, Tx; his stepson, Scott Huttenhauer and wife, Sue, of Kirkland, Wa; two stepdaughters, Sandy Fazzino of San Antonio, Tx and Kathy Henderson and husband, Bill, of Silsbee, Tx; and his sister, Effie Logan of Lafayette, La. He is also survived by five granddaughters: Rachel Cereceros and husband, Emanuel; Jessica Eschen and husband, Alex; Laura Huttenhauer; Kelly Fazzino; Ellen Byars and husband, Brady; and one great-granddaughter, Madeline.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Myron Tanner; and his brother, Bob Tanner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Operation Homefront.

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