Donald Scott Tanner

On September 11, 2025, after a year-long battle with cancer, Scott Tanner left his earthly home and entered his heavenly home. He fought a hard battle and never gave up until the end. He is now free from pain and suffering.

He was born on May 15, 1956 to Donald W. Tanner and Melba Risinger Tanner. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Tanner and brother, Jeff Tanner.

Scott graduated from El Dorado High School in 1974 and attended Northwestern State University on a football scholarship.

On October 1, 1977 he married the love of his life Sheryl Gray. Together over the years they enjoyed watching their children and grandchildren participate in sports, watching and cheering on their favorite teams in football, basketball, and baseball, fishing, and spending time at the lake with family and friends. He was Big Daddy to his grandchildren and to all their friends.

In 1978 he signed to play football for the then Houston Oilers. After a short stint with the Oilers, he returned home where he worked for Texas Eastern Corporation.

In 1986, he went to work with his dad in the family business Tanner Oil and worked until July 2025 when his health no longer allowed him to.

Scott loved to bass fish and was always giving or getting a report on where the fish were biting.

He was a wonderful cook and would often cook ribs or brisket and take to friends. We always looked forward to summertime at the lake where he would cook for the gathering of family and friends.

He was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church where over the years he served the Lord by singing in the choir, working with the youth, going on mission trips, serving on committees, and cooking for various church functions.

Scott is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sheryl Tanner; his mother, Melba Tanner; son, Courtney Tanner (Damaris); daughter, Jordan Tanner Blackmon, grandchildren, Tessa Tanner, Bryn Blackmon and Drake Tanner.

We would like to thank everyone who prayed, sent cards, text messages, phone calls and visits. Words cannot express what it has meant to us. Thank you to Life Touch Hospice and nurses for taking such wonderful care of Scott. We could not have made this journey without Rick Plair (Bubba). Thank you for driving us to Houston and being by our side every step of the way. Thank you Eddie Plair for stepping in when Bubba couldn't make it. We are forever grateful.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm Friday, September 19, 2025 at Young’s Funeral Directors.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Immanuel Baptist Church with Brother Clark Whitney, Doctor David Uth and Brother Tommy Kimball officiating. Entombment will be at the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

Serving as pallbearers are Rick Plair, Jeff Avery, Steve Burton, Reese Sullivan, Les Cardin, Johnny Moudy, Barry Carter, and David Bennett. Honorary pallbearers are Steve Elkins, Jamie Dumas, Johnny Otwell, Johnny Phelps and Randy Atkinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church Building Fund, 3209 West Hillsboro, El Dorado, AR 71730. Condolences can be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Tanner family