Jerome Benedict Tankersley, Jr., 89, died at home on Sunday, January 2, 2000. He was born in Roanoke on July 20, 1910 and attended St. Andrew's grade school and high school. An adventurer at heart, the summer he became 18, he completed the Civilian Military Training Camp Program at Fort Myer, Virginia. He was one of Roanoke's pioneer aviators, flying Travelair, Great Lakes and other aircraft in barnstorming events from 1930 through 1940. He volunteered to fly for the British in 1940 but was not taken because of his war related employment at the Norfolk and Western Railroad. His career at the N&W spanned 44 years and he retired as Manager of Purchases in 1974. A reverent man and faithful Catholic, he was a lifelong member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church, and was active for many years in the choir. A leader for Boy Scout Troop 9, he also enjoyed gold, fishing, and was an accomplished woodworker. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Anna Louise Tankersley and their five children, Jane Copeland of Centreville, Jerome Benedict Tankersley, III of Fredericksburg, Ann Zerbee Amburn of Midlothian, Mary Teresa Eades of Charlottesville, and Joseph Francis Tankersley of Richmond. He is also survived by a sister, Margaret Klena of Windber, Pennsylvania. He was grandfather to nine grandchildren, Catherine Elizabeth Copeland (1970-1996), Emily Cox Tankersley, Jerome Benedict Tankersley, IV, Molly Zerbee Amburn, Betsy Ann Amburn, Erica Eades McLaughlin, Lauren Grayson Eades, Matthew Joseph Tankersley, Kelly Elizabeth Tankersley. He was a hero to some, a loving father and gentle man to others, a person to be missed by all who knew him. He would like to be remembered with a smile. A Funeral Mass will be conducted 12 noon Wednesday, January 5, 2000 at St. Andrews Catholic Church with the Rev. Randy Rule officiating. Burial will follow in St. Andrew's Diocesan Cemetery. A prayer service will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 8 p.m. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

Roanoke Times, VA, Jan. 4, 2000