AJ Tanner (A.K.A. Papa), 83, of Ranger, Texas passed away Saturday, March 30, 2013. AJ was born July 23, 1929 in the community of Tanner Town in Eastland County to Alvin Dewey and Ufama Harman Tanner. He married Christine Sharp (A.K.A. Mama) in El Paso, Texas on August 2, 1955.

AJ grew up in Ranger, Tx and attended schools there. AJ and Christine spent the first three years of their marriage in Odessa, Texas where he worked in the oil field. They later moved back to Ranger where they have resided for the last fifty five years. They are the proud parents of three children. Over the years, AJ was a cattle rancher, butcher, heavy equipment operator, rabbit farmer, welder, and entrepreneur. Early in his life, AJ served in the United States Army in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. He received numerous honors including two bronze stars. AJ spent many years helping build the Ranger rodeo arena and promoting the Roaring Ranger Rodeo. He was also active in the Ranger Little League Association. His favorite past times were hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, playing dominoes, cowboying, and spending time with his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by three children: AJ Tanner, Jr. and wife Sandra of Ranger, Selissa Hayes Chamness and husband Kelly of Eastland, and Audie Tanner of Ranger; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren; brother: W.A. (Yokey) Tanner and wife Corine of Dumas, Texas, and sister: Barbara (Mickie) Baggett of Fort Worth, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters: Joy Lavelle Honea and Susie Wynama Merchant.

Funeral services will be held Monday, April 1, 2013 at 2:30 pm at the Eastland City Cemetery in Eastland.


Published in Abilene Reporter-News on April 1, 2013