Tanner Givnan

Tanner Givnan entered this world like a sonic boom on an Air Force base in Enid, Oklahoma, at the height of the atomic age, and passed away suddenly, after a brief illness, leaving a vapor trail of love, tolerance and beauty for those left behind.

Tanner was born the oldest of four children born to James D. Givnan, Jr. and Theodora Givnan and grew up in Portland, attended St. Thomas More, St. Mary’s, University of Portland and, later, then Southern Oregon College. Tanner’s lifelong passion to wander, observe and connect with people across mediums, leading to career in photography and writing. Tanner had studios in the Sellwood and Beaverton areas and worked in the Bay Area and Los Angeles before returning to Beaverton. Tanner was a familiar site on walks and runs and frequent photo shoots in parks and nature areas in the Beaverton and Bethany areas.

Tanner wandered, observed and connected with the world across mediums. His love for children, sense of humor and playful imagination led him to author a number of children’s books, including “The Runaway Ornaments”, a holiday story about those who “walk on” but who never really leave us; “Jill in a Box”, about  a young girl with loss retreating into a refrigerator box  who comes to realize others live on in us through our memories; and “Cyrano Johnson (a chance for change)”, a young man suffering from agoraphobia, who sees opportunity but can’t open the door. Tanner authored a number of screenplays, among them, “Clear Cut Love”, a romantic comedy, and worked on more than one documentary, including “Green Feathers”, a story of Native American logging and culture, both set in Oregon. Tanner worked his entire life as a professional photographer, with the commitment, energy and sense of heightened awareness required for photographing both people and the natural world. His portfolio was a testament to his patience and keen eye, famously dominated in recent years by his stunning captures of Great Blue Herons, birds that mirrored his own quiet grace and his unwavering commitment to his own path.

Tanner was physically and spiritually “on call” for the world, as in the person behind who might pay for your groceries or carry your bag to your car. Tanner would swoop in to catch you, if you were about to fall (“I got you”) and scoop you up from the floor if gravity had already won out (“no worries”). Tanner, somehow the first on the scene of more than one accident and once quipped to Beaverton police, “We’ve got to stop meeting like this!”

Tanner’s favorite souvenirs of world travels were the photographs the people encountered and the simple rock collected from every country Tanner set foot in. Tanner loved to share photos online, often with a photograph of a Great Blue Heron with the words, “Stay in the light”; “Life is a gift”, and “Best at you and yours”. And, just a month before passing: “Our soul is our compass. Into the light, Tanner.”

Tanner is survived by partner, Charmeon Smith , sisters, Terry Foulon (Bob), Martha Raschio (Greg) and Julie Ramil (Gil), nine nephews and a niece and their spouses, and 19 great nephews and nieces.

Tanner’s ashes were interred at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Portland. A play clothes picnic in honor of Tanner’s birthday will be held at Commonwealth Park in Beaverton on Saturday, August 15th at 11AM. For more information please send a note to [email protected] but please stop by if you are able!

Also enjoy the youtube tribute done by cousin Kerry Haas based on tanner’s creative work (stories, songs, pictures). https://youtu.be/ATYVW4A2BU0

Today we held a tribute to Tanner Givnan at Commonwealth Lake in Beaverton. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bn4Ph5wEe/?mibextid=wwXIfr