John
John Virl Tanner
d. October 4, 2014
John Virl Tanner, of Springville, UT passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on the morning of Saturday, October 4, 2014 after a valiant battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
John was born on May 21, 1951 to Virl Kay and Ruth Ellen (Clinger) Tanner in San Diego, California. Growing up, John delighted in playing and exploring the fields and ravines around his childhood home. He enjoyed the beach, ocean, and surfing. He loved spending time with his parents, family and friends discussing the Gospel, laying a firm foundation for his strong testimony in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
John moved to Provo, Utah in 1972 to pursue his career in plumbing, where he met his "beautiful eternal sweetheart," Dayna Christine Green. John and Dayna were married in the Los Angeles Temple on July 27, 1973. During their life together, living between California and Utah, they raised 9 children, Joshua (Abbey) Tanner, Aubrey (Marek) Cerny, Dayna K. (Kavika) Kauo, Jacob (Jennifer) Tanner, Joseph (Zsaneen) Tanner, John B. (Kirby) Tanner, Lizzy Tanner, Emily (Seth) Larsen, and Matthew Tanner. John's nephew, Ethan Nobbs was like a son; the Tanner family would be incomplete without him. John ingrained in his children the love he had for camping, hiking, and the outdoors by making the time to take his family on great adventures and sharing his love for God's creations. He taught his children the power of prayer and testimony and it was his greatest desire that they learn to love the Lord.
John was blessed with 17 grandchildren who love their "Papa T." He was always sure to let them know how much he loved them. He took the time to make sure they were individually significant in their own way. They greatly enjoyed his "good stories," funny jokes, and BIG Papa Bear hugs and kisses.
He worked at BYU's Mechanical Shop as Master Plumber and Assistant Supervisor for over 30 years. He felt it a blessing to work there and truly cared for his collogues and cherished their friendship. John loves his Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. He faithfully served in many capacities in the LDS church, and shared his testimony often with those around him. He especially enjoyed serving with the youth. Hundreds of young men will long remember hiking, camping, canoeing, snowmobiling, four wheeling, or boating trips with Brother/Bishop Tanner. But most of all they will remember his love and testimony.
John sincerely loved 'his neighbor' and genuinely shared this love through his words and gentle compassion. He always took time to talk with and help those around him. When he was no longer able to leave his home, he made phone calls to check on friends and neighbors to make sure they were doing okay. He was a faithful home teacher and fulfilled his last phone visits just a few days before he passed away.
John is preceded in death by his sister Geraldine and his parents. He will be greatly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren; Xander, Chloe, Jr, Kipa, Lehua, Kekoaali'I, Michael, Simeon, River, Rain, Echo, Keir, Myla, Lulu, Leo, Iris, and Penny, extended family and friends.
In short, John was a simple, good man of great faith. He was a big, humble man with strong hands and a kind heart. John recognized the good in everyone he met, and without hesitation, reached out to those in need. His parting words to family and friends were always, "I love you." We love you too, John, and know you are yet loving and serving beyond our sight, but certainly not beyond our eternal view.
Funeral Services will be Wednesday, October 8, 2014, 3:00 pm at the Kolob Fourth Ward Chapel, 2557 Dalton Dr. Springville, UT. Friends may visit with the family Tuesday evening, October 7, 2014, from 6:00 8:00 pm at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E 200 S Springville, UT and Wednesday afternoon from 1:45 - 2:45 pm at the church. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, UT.
In lieu of flowers, John requested you donate to the LDS mission fund.
John was born on May 21, 1951 to Virl Kay and Ruth Ellen (Clinger) Tanner in San Diego, California. Growing up, John delighted in playing and exploring the fields and ravines around his childhood home. He enjoyed the beach, ocean, and surfing. He loved spending time with his parents, family and friends discussing the Gospel, laying a firm foundation for his strong testimony in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
John moved to Provo, Utah in 1972 to pursue his career in plumbing, where he met his "beautiful eternal sweetheart," Dayna Christine Green. John and Dayna were married in the Los Angeles Temple on July 27, 1973. During their life together, living between California and Utah, they raised 9 children, Joshua (Abbey) Tanner, Aubrey (Marek) Cerny, Dayna K. (Kavika) Kauo, Jacob (Jennifer) Tanner, Joseph (Zsaneen) Tanner, John B. (Kirby) Tanner, Lizzy Tanner, Emily (Seth) Larsen, and Matthew Tanner. John's nephew, Ethan Nobbs was like a son; the Tanner family would be incomplete without him. John ingrained in his children the love he had for camping, hiking, and the outdoors by making the time to take his family on great adventures and sharing his love for God's creations. He taught his children the power of prayer and testimony and it was his greatest desire that they learn to love the Lord.
John was blessed with 17 grandchildren who love their "Papa T." He was always sure to let them know how much he loved them. He took the time to make sure they were individually significant in their own way. They greatly enjoyed his "good stories," funny jokes, and BIG Papa Bear hugs and kisses.
He worked at BYU's Mechanical Shop as Master Plumber and Assistant Supervisor for over 30 years. He felt it a blessing to work there and truly cared for his collogues and cherished their friendship. John loves his Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. He faithfully served in many capacities in the LDS church, and shared his testimony often with those around him. He especially enjoyed serving with the youth. Hundreds of young men will long remember hiking, camping, canoeing, snowmobiling, four wheeling, or boating trips with Brother/Bishop Tanner. But most of all they will remember his love and testimony.
John sincerely loved 'his neighbor' and genuinely shared this love through his words and gentle compassion. He always took time to talk with and help those around him. When he was no longer able to leave his home, he made phone calls to check on friends and neighbors to make sure they were doing okay. He was a faithful home teacher and fulfilled his last phone visits just a few days before he passed away.
John is preceded in death by his sister Geraldine and his parents. He will be greatly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren; Xander, Chloe, Jr, Kipa, Lehua, Kekoaali'I, Michael, Simeon, River, Rain, Echo, Keir, Myla, Lulu, Leo, Iris, and Penny, extended family and friends.
In short, John was a simple, good man of great faith. He was a big, humble man with strong hands and a kind heart. John recognized the good in everyone he met, and without hesitation, reached out to those in need. His parting words to family and friends were always, "I love you." We love you too, John, and know you are yet loving and serving beyond our sight, but certainly not beyond our eternal view.
Funeral Services will be Wednesday, October 8, 2014, 3:00 pm at the Kolob Fourth Ward Chapel, 2557 Dalton Dr. Springville, UT. Friends may visit with the family Tuesday evening, October 7, 2014, from 6:00 8:00 pm at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E 200 S Springville, UT and Wednesday afternoon from 1:45 - 2:45 pm at the church. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, UT.
In lieu of flowers, John requested you donate to the LDS mission fund.
To send flowers to the family in memory of John Virl Tanner, please visit our flower store.